Chapter 84: Cost of Conflict

After the fifth-tier mage left, the mages attending the banquet shed their initial restraint and wandered freely among the tables laden with exquisite food, occasionally sharing a drink with familiar colleagues. However, with the arrival of several female mages, almost all the mages gathered around them, including the young mages who had just arrived.

Shaoke observed the newly arrived female mages through the crowd, noticing they appeared quite young and rather attractive. Unfortunately, the distance and crowd prevented a clear view.

"Mage Xueye, those female mages are quite something, aren't they? Why not go over and chat with them? Hehe!" The third-tier mage who had first received Shaoke and the others sat down beside him, picking up a wine glass to savor slowly.

Shaoke glanced at the mage and shook his head. "No need. I doubt I could even squeeze through—they're too popular." After another quick look toward the female mages, he focused on enjoying the fine wine before him.

"Indeed! They've always been very popular here. When they first arrived, I went over to strike up a conversation too. Now... hehe! Time really flies." The third-tier mage shook his head, sighed as he glanced toward the center of attention, then buried himself in his drink.

As more mages joined, the banquet grew increasingly lively. When a female cleric arrived, the most exciting part of the evening began: inviting the ladies to dance.

The female mages and the sole cleric did not refuse the successive invitations from the mages. Their colorful robes elegantly accentuated their beauty on the spacious floor cleared by the mages. Shaoke even saw Mage Roland take the opportunity after one mage stepped back, immediately inviting the cleric to dance.

Noticing Shaoke's intense gaze fixed on the dancers, the third-tier mage chuckled. "Mage Xueye, you could take your companion's place after he leaves. That cleric's waist is quite slender—much better than those female mages."

Somewhat embarrassed, Shaoke shook his head and adjusted his cloak again. "I don't know how to dance."

"Oh! What a pity." The third-tier mage shook his head. "You should have learned in the academy. It's quite essential for banquets."

"By the way, Mage Xueye, you don't look well. Is it due to rapid growth in mana and mental power?" The third-tier mage voiced the concern he had been holding back. He didn't want this young mage to make mistakes in his cultivation, which could cause unnecessary losses to the already scarce military mages.

"Thank you for your concern, Honorable Mage." Shaoke nodded. "I will pay more attention to this in the future."

The mage nodded, then pointed toward the female mages still dancing. "Look! They exercise restraint in their cultivation, yet in just a few years, they're already about to advance to the third tier. By then, I can temporarily leave the army and choose a new position."

After a moment of thought, Shaoke suddenly asked, "Honorable Mage, may I ask you a question?"

"Certainly. I'm happy to share what I know. Here, you have the right to ask questions of higher-ranking mages." The third-tier mage nodded, signaling Shaoke to proceed.

"My rapid increase in mental power and mana only started a few days ago. Why has my physical constitution deteriorated so much?" After thanking him, Shaoke didn't hesitate to pose his question.

The third-tier mage frowned, set down his glass, and examined Shaoke carefully. Finally, he said uncertainly, "Did you advance not long ago? And after advancing, you didn't promptly take care of your declining constitution?"

Shaoke nodded, surprised the mage could discern his recent advancement. "As you said, it's been less than a year since my advancement."

The third-tier mage nodded and quickly offered a solution. "From now on, reduce the use of drugs that increase mana and mental power accumulation. Take more that enhance your constitution. This will help you recover gradually." After seeing Shaoke nod in agreement, the mage added another suggestion. "You should appropriately extend the duration of those physical training methods. They are much more effective than drug supplements."

After a brief silence, Shaoke said, "Honorable Mage, thank you for your guidance. If I continue this rapid growth, will my body keep deteriorating, and will recovery become very difficult later?"

The third-tier mage sighed. "For now, it's best not to rush increasing mental power and mana. Delaying for another year will solidify your foundation more. Continuous physical deterioration makes recovery later very difficult. Remember, when advancing to the third rank, your body will still deteriorate unless you have access to precious herbs or superior advancement methods."

Shaoke sighed softly. He was reluctant to slow his progress. Since discovering the anomaly in the diamond-shaped array within his mental space, he had set the fastest advancement path for himself. He wanted to use his current advantages to narrow the gap with those naturally talented mages.

Seeing Shaoke deep in thought, the third-tier mage shook his head and spent some time explaining matters he should pay attention to here. Finally, he advised Shaoke to review the paper given by the elder mage more often. It contained not only notes on battlefield precautions but also rules to follow in daily life. Then, despite Shaoke's repeated thanks and the ongoing lively banquet, he turned and left.

After the mage departed, Shaoke watched the white-robed cleric and female mages still dancing on the floor, feeling increasingly restless. He downed a glass of wine and quietly slipped away from the banquet, sensing such occasions weren't for him.

Shaoke did not heed the third-tier mage's advice. He knew full well that continuing to use that high-level meditation method and consuming large quantities of drugs would push his body further toward deterioration. But he couldn't bear to slow his advancement pace. He decided to extend his training time and appropriately reduce some meditation time, hoping this would prevent his constitution from continuously declining.

For over a month after the banquet, no soldiers from the enemy country stormed the fortress walls. Shaoke continued taking third-tier drugs and even sent a letter to the mage who had provided the contract, requesting third-tier drugs to enhance his constitution. The rest of his time was spent constantly practicing spells, memorizing spell knowledge, and honing various spellcasting techniques.

During this period, more second-tier mages arrived at the fortress from various parts of the empire. Seeing the increasing number of peers, Shaoke noticed many had never performed border garrison duty. However, banquets weren't held continuously for them; they were organized periodically when enough people had gathered. Shaoke didn't attend the later banquets, as he remained busy studying spell knowledge and meditating.

During this time, Mage Roland informed him that many young mages connected to nobles and mage families had also arrived, apparently intending to stay here for a long time.

A reply finally came from the Blizzard Legion, accompanied by enough constitution-restoring drugs for a typical mage's annual use. By then, Shaoke had become even more emaciated than before. His hair had turned dry and yellowish, his cheeks sunken, and the nails on his withered hands had grown long and curved, looking quite frightening.

Seeing the drugs arrive, Shaoke wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. The continuous decline in his constitution had revealed a peculiar situation: after dropping to a certain point, it stopped declining further. Apart from his ordinary face becoming gaunt and ugly, Shaoke felt his physical strength had returned to its pre-advancement state.

After several checks failed to pinpoint the exact cause, Shaoke could only attribute the credit to the effects brought about by the anomaly in the diamond-shaped array.

One day, while Shaoke was studying spell structure in his room, increasingly loud arguments erupted outside. Frowning, he pushed open the window to see the two parties involved. As he watched them argue incessantly, a familiar voice called his name. "Mage Xueye, I think you should come out now." It was Mage Roland, who had spotted Shaoke looking out and couldn't resist calling him over to bolster their side's numbers.

Resigned, Shaoke nodded, picked up his staff, and slowly walked toward them.

Seeing Shaoke approach, Mage Roland drew near and quietly explained the cause of the conflict.

It turned out that Mage Roland and his group wanted to invite the several female mages and the female cleric from the previous banquet to a gathering. However, some of the newly arrived mages found out and demanded to join as well. Mage Roland and his companions felt too many people would be inappropriate, especially since they weren't familiar with the newcomers at all.

Angered by the refusal, those mages came here to argue with Mage Roland's group, which disturbed Shaoke.

The leading mage held his head high, glanced sideways at Shaoke with a slight snort, while the dozen or so mages behind him glared angrily at Shaoke and his companions. One mage stepped forward a few paces and said, "Just because you arrived over a month earlier, you won't let us join the gathering? Don't you even understand basic courtesy? I don't see how this would cause you any trouble."

Mage Roland took a deep breath. "Esteemed mage, our decision isn't based on arriving earlier. You can invite them after our gathering ends. I'm sure they won't refuse if they have time." He looked at the leading mage. "I don't think this matter is worth arguing over. What do you think?"

The leading mage snorted coldly. "Mage Roland, we only wish to join the gathering today. If you continue to obstruct us, I'm afraid unpleasant incidents may occur." The mage waved his staff lightly and took a few casual steps forward.

Learning the reason for the argument, Shaoke couldn't suppress the irritation of having his studies interrupted. He whispered to Mage Roland, "What's the harm in letting them join? We're all future comrades. Why can't we be more understanding?"

Mage Roland looked at the increasingly gaunt mage, a strained smile appearing on his handsome face. "Mage Xueye, how long has it been since you last came out? These newly arrived mages aren't from our system. Many are just here to build their credentials. Moreover, these mages are too lecherous. At the banquet held upon their arrival, they openly harassed the female mages, making many mages feel very uncomfortable. If not for their numerous noble connections, I believe they would have been pulverized by other mages that very night."