Ch. 86 - The Dragon Egg Moved
[...I believe that as a high-level mage, rather than shouting 'Why are your spells so strange?', it would be better to reflect on whether all your previous research went straight to the dogs.
If I had as much money as him, the first thing I should consider is where I can learn Fireball, not draining my entire fortune learning Banishment—
'Things that can be solved with three Fireballs shouldn't waste a fourth-circle spell.'
Hey, you Fireball Cult folks over there, please settle my advertising fees.]
"Does he really think spells are just lying around on the street, ready to be picked up at will? For those mages who guard against others like they're guarding against the dogs, an unencrypted third-circle spell available for study is already priceless.
Not to mention controlled spells with massive destructive power like Fireball?"
Geya Yuexi didn't know what status spellcasters held in the Lord's Alliance. At least in the Terran Empire, those in power strictly controlled the circulation of spells and scrolls.
After all, the ruling class consisted of Sorcerers.
And compared to bloodline power, Wizards who relied solely on intellect had a relatively lower barrier to entry.
The Empire's Scribe Society had even become an important pillar for many commoners to cross class boundaries.
For governance, this was obviously a double-edged sword—
While bringing stronger armed forces, it also spawned more security risks.
The Council's final policy was 'better to channel than to block.'
Win over the Scribe Society while strictly prohibiting the circulation of large-scale destructive spells, and exercise targeted control over low-circle spell transactions...
But she suddenly realized she had never heard of Vicious Mockery.
"So his spells really were just picked up randomly?"
Damn it, daydreaming again.
She felt so jealous!
[...If I were to evaluate a headless necromantic paladin, I'd probably rank her alongside 'chaste succubi' and 'law-abiding orcs' at the top of the 'Exotic Species Curiosity Rankings.'
Incidentally, first place would go to 'dwarf-sized Goliaths.'
Not authoritative, purely personal grudges.]
[But regardless, setting aside right and wrong, I don't seem to have any reason to refuse her.
She possesses stories worth deep investigation, undeniable power...
Most importantly, Resurrection.
'Having resurrection capability' is more important than 'resurrection' itself.
When you realize you're unlikely to die, you become fearless.
And when you're fearless, the path ahead becomes smooth.
She swore loyalty and became the sword in my hand. This will be a great boon on my adventuring journey—it'll make me feel more secure when facing danger.
As for those adventurers who died by her hand...
I'm sorry, I'm not a priest, I can't spare too much pity for you—actually wanted to say 'paladin,' but I think you probably wouldn't want to see that word.
What I'm saying is, 'adventuring' itself is a choice to put your life on the line.
Some might say, 'You'll know the pain when the knife falls on you.'
And I don't deny it will hurt.
But if someday I also die from the choice of 'adventuring,' I probably won't have much to complain about.
After all, when I set out on this path, I'd already made up my mind.
Maybe that ending won't be far off.
But I'm still on the road.
And I'll never stop.]
"Damn it, he actually gained some manliness."
After Geya sighed, she immediately shifted her focus to other aspects.
"A 'hero' who lived a thousand years ago, huh... If I could compile her experiences into an epic, when competing for the teaching assistant position, Bruto wouldn't stand a chance, would he?"
In fact, she didn't think any poet would care about the crimes this 'hero' committed.
Never mind pursuing glory—just for pleasure alone, how few people had those high-and-mighty nobles killed?
These bards still had to find ways to cover up their crimes through songs and sing their praises, didn't they?
So she cared more about the stories behind the legends, the history that actually happened.
This would let her write more authentic poems and win acclaim—
Besides personal influence, being selected as a teaching assistant also required creating an excellent 'graduation poem.'
Right now, the only thing making her feel fortunate was that Tang Qi had already left the academy.
"Otherwise my position would be in danger!"
[...Soothing fearful emotions and releasing team pressure is the duty of a qualified leader.
Melade is a good person in the broad sense, but his kindness is somewhat narrow.
I have no intention of changing him, but I need to let him know 'following me will definitely pay off.'
I need this young master's goodwill.
After reaching Longgold City, I'll still need his status as a stepping stone after entering the city, to expand my influence and reputation.
However, before that, there's something more important to do—
A bard should have a regular tavern, and the Golden Oak is a good choice.
So I should go discuss matters with Catherine about what to do after entering the city.
Hmm, should I use scar removal as an excuse?
Eh, wait?
Why did she suddenly invite me to take a bath?]
Geya's pen tip paused slightly, her heart full of struggle and hesitation:
"So do I really still have to write down the rest of the content?"
After pondering for a long time, she simply gritted her teeth.
"Forget it, just consider it out of respect for the original author..."
[Was a bit busy just now, continuing to write.
Suddenly thought, the universe might have been born a long, long time ago. We're currently at the edge of the newborn universe, while the center of the universe has long become dark.
Or maybe there's no such thing as an expanding universe at all, no multiple universes. What we can currently speculate and reason about is only what's 'reasonable' within our cognitive range. Actually, planets are already an 'unreasonable' existence...]
[...All men must die, either weightier than Mount Tai or lighter than a feather...]
[...To be or not to be, that is the question.]
"So during sage mode, can you just think about how to keep performing instead of thinking about how to output content!?"
Geya finally couldn't help but slam her desk.
"Looking at how timid and cowering you were at the academy, I thought you were different from Bruto and the others—how come leaving the academy unleashed your true nature?"
Is this what her instructor said about "time is a plastic surgery knife that can easily change a person"?
Or is it because—
"Tang Qi Weinberg, have I never really understood you?"
Perhaps this fallen illegitimate son was just suppressing his nature all along due to various reasons, like the requirement to 'hide his talents'?
After all, everything now displayed in the journal had already proven he was different from her kind of 'mundane poet who only sits at an office desk copying his exciting diary, and the first thing after waking up is wondering whether she can compete for a precious iron rice bowl.'
Tang Qi Weinberg.
He was a true Bard.
"So in the future, can you write less exciting adventure experiences and more mundane daily logs!?"
When Geya transcribed the last line of text, clear birdsong gradually rang in her ears.
She pushed open the window, letting the first rays of dawn light enter her eyes.
Was this the first ray of sunlight at the Poet's Academy?
She didn't know.
Just pressed her rounded lips together and sighed softly:
"This way...
I won't envy you anymore."
...
"No need to envy me, Young Master Melade, this is what I deserve."
Lying on the ox cart driver's seat, pillowing his head on Catherine's thighs, Tang Qi was using his journal to shield himself from Melade's envious gaze—
The awakened little white pig no longer needed to be knocked out and tied up.
And if this noble young master were just curled up in the cramped ox cart with his back aching from bumping against the floor, it would still be bearable.
But once there was a comparison, it became a form of torture.
But Tang Qi had no time to deal with his complaints. Instead, he focused on the rewards after the 'necromancer' incident—
[One battle made you realize that dwarves and bald men are no different in your eyes. Because you're very clear that only two types of species exist in this world—'those worth cursing at' and 'those you can't be bothered to mention.']
[You obtained the spell 'Silvery Barbs':
When a target creature acts, you can instantly and magically make them feel distracted. Thus turning their brief hesitation into encouragement for another designated creature.
Note:
'Inspiration' and 'curse' actually have no essential difference—both just make people flush with emotion.]
[You spent a wonderful night, which is important. Knowing 'how to sleep' is also an art worth studying. After all, you won't 'only spend one wonderful night.']
[You obtained the spell 'Sleep':
Designate a point as the center. Within a 7-meter radius, creatures may fall asleep depending on their physical condition. Undead creatures and creatures immune to charm effects are not affected by this spell.
Note: Dear, need to extend your time? Sleeping counts toward your hours too!—'Beautiful Corruptor' Troy.]
Along the way, Tang Qi had found opportunities to ask Stonecrusher why that necromancer could recognize their power levels at a glance.
Surely there wasn't a visible 'level' floating above their heads.
Stonecrusher's answer was abstract:
"Spellcasters distinguish by spell slots. Non-spellcasters rely purely on... presence. Like when you walk into a tavern, you can tell at a glance who not to mess with.
Of course, there are some pretentious folks who disguise themselves.
But between low-level and high-level professionals, there's just an obvious gap."
"And how do you distinguish between the two?"
"Combat technique reserves and the 'stamina' to release combat techniques.
If you ask a rookie fresh out to use Shield Charge once, it's enough to make them hungry with their chest against their back.
Only high-level warriors like me can release combat techniques continuously. Because we have abundant stamina."
Tang Qi glanced at his head:
"How high?"
"Fuck, I'm definitely going to hang your wanted poster on the high walls of Longgold City!"
"Great, so everyone can see it, right? Except the dwarves."
"Screw you!!"
Precisely because only an abstract identification concept existed.
So a spellcaster's 'rank' was also distinguished by 'spell circles'—
It's not that being a first-circle caster means you can cast first-circle spells.
Rather, you obtain a first-circle spell, and thus can be called a first-circle caster:
"Looking at it this way, with two first-circle spells, two cantrips, plus Bardic Inspiration... I should already count as a proper bard spellcaster, right?"
Tang Qi couldn't help but feel excited.
"That I, Tang Qi, could grow in just one short week from a penniless vagrant to a self-sufficient bard, it's all due to my own effort and hard work—
Journal, start writing!"
Stonecrusher couldn't help but glance at the enthusiastic Tang Qi and muttered:
"It's just writing a diary. It won't stay in the notebook permanently anyway. After a while it'll disappear. Don't know what there is to be excited about."
Out of curiosity, Stonecrusher had also browsed through Tang Qi's journal.
He couldn't see descriptions about 'rewards' in the journal, but he didn't deny the content was interesting.
It would be even better without some annoying jokes.
But he still maintained a pessimistic attitude—
This world couldn't record 'history.' Before long, these words recorded in the journal would also disappear silently.
Time always takes everything away.
Not to mention he was a short-lived human.
Perhaps after he leaves this world, even he himself would forget about these days of adventure...
Just like he could no longer remember what he looked like as a child.
But Tang Qi didn't care about any of this.
The Slave of History Pen spurred his desire to express, making him maintain perfect stability even while pillowing on Catherine's soft thighs, to narrate everything that happened today—
[Lost Calendar Year 1000, June 15th, Dawnmist Forest, clear.
Fifth day since leaving Starberry Town.
Honestly, the endless accidents of the previous days were utterly exhausting, body and mind.
But when life truly returned to normal, and we didn't encounter any danger for a whole day, I actually kind of miss that past tension—
Beasts like 'dire wolves' no longer deserve to be recorded in my journal.
At most I'll categorize them into the "Wilderness Ingredients Encyclopedia."
Here, I want to specifically praise Miss Dawn. Her movements in handling ingredients are swift and graceful... (ten thousand words of praise omitted) In short, she's a good knight and companion on our adventure!
The above content was absolutely not written under duress.
Because she begged me to write it...]
[Sixth day since leaving Starberry Town.
Anbi finally woke from her slumber.
She ate a lot, as if converting grief into appetite.
The poor girl, afraid her sister would worry too much, always forced a strained smile to tell us she was fine.
But she's visibly become much quieter...
We can't do much—some roads she can only walk herself, some truths only she can figure out.
At least she's still suppressing her bestial nature. This is a good sign.]
[Day 7.
Damn, why is it so boring?
My originally exciting journal is almost turning into a daily log now!
But fortunately we found a nice camping spot today. Importantly, there's a water source.
Nothing much to do anyway, might as well take a bath nearby first...
With the Ring of Mutual Hearts, happiness is doubled!]
[Day 8, bathing.]
[Day 9, bathing.]
[Day 10, bathing...
Tang Qi, oh Tang Qi! How can you be so degenerate! Have you forgotten that the journal should be used to record exciting adventure stories!?
You're destined to become a 'legendary' bard. You absolutely cannot waste energy on such things anymore!
Must take this as a warning!]
[Day 11, first day of bath abstinence!]
[Day 12, bathing.]
[Day 13, first day of bath abstinence...]
[14, abstinence day one...]
[...Day 21 since leaving Starberry Town.
Stonecrusher said I could never be an adventurer in this lifetime because spending an hour every day cleaning my body wastes too much time.
I said what would a dwarf with such small contact surface area who can finish in five minutes know.
He got mad.]
[Day 22.
Holy shit, the egg moved.
I'm not talking about myself.
The dragon egg moved!!]