Free Web NovelChapter 16: The Weight of Evolving Magic
When a territory is tamed and its core consciousness submitted, a light shield will appear around the territory. However, beyond this light shield, the lands are as merciless as ever.
No territories are self-reliant, and for the people in them to survive, there need to be logistical connections between various territories.
These transportation roads are fragile because of the attacks from monsters, and every territory has mages systematically clearing these paths so the logistics are never blocked.
These missions are mostly taken by the MSFRM.
Rhys went to the library to learn about the cost of renting Adept spell structures. He needed three thousand credits to rent them for a day.
Considering it would cost three thousand gold coins in the market to buy one permanently, this seemed rather cheap.
Most missions gave five hundred to a thousand credits anyway.
What he did not consider was that for a talented mage to learn an Adept spell, it would take him a week at least.
However, ordinary mages would take months, if not years, and still they could not fully master it. They had to train extensively, and use various conductors, catalysts, and even runes to draw them.
But for Rhys, simply memorizing the spell structure was enough.
He had already chosen what kind of spell he was choosing now. Its description made his blood boil.
How could such an overpowered spell be only Adept rank?
With his Mind Edge enhancement, that spell had the capability to have an output nearing High spells!
"So you finally decided to take missions, young boy." The librarian gave him a deep look. "Don’t tell me you plan to take that spell..." His voice became serious.
Rhys was taken aback by the sudden tension. "Can’t I?" he asked with a frown.
"It seems you already decided. Sigh. Since you have read its description, you might have understood its power. And you might be thinking why many have chosen it, right?"
Rhys nodded slowly. That spell was too wondrous to just sit on a shelf. Its market price would be double that of ordinary Adept spells. If he could understand its value, many other mages would have already noticed it too.
The librarian shook his head, looking down at the dark scroll. "Many have indeed chosen it. But no one has mastered it."
Rhys’s eyes widened in surprise. "It’s not that hard, right?" He recalled the geometric patterns he had scanned earlier. Even the spell structure was so simple, with easily readable lines and clear anchor points.
"It’s an evolving spell..."
"What?" Rhys muttered.
Before the old man could elaborate, a familiar chime echoed inside his mind.
[It means the spell isn’t using fundamental properties, nor is it rare or epic. It is a Legendary spell. Legendary spells grow alongside the mage.]
’You didn’t tell me when I read it,’ Rhys complained to the system inwardly, feeling a bit annoyed that such a massive detail was left out.
[Ahem. I thought you would find it yourself. Cough. You are highly intelligent, you know.]
Rhys was a bit dissatisfied with the excuse, but hearing the last words of praise from the system, he cooled down a bit.
Still, he decided to have a serious personal talk with the system later so it would never hide anything important from him again.
"Boy, you should reconsider your choice," the librarian said, interrupting his thoughts.
Rhys looked back at the old man, his resolve hardening. "Just because no one else can master it doesn’t mean I can’t."
"Sigh. Do you know why no one can master it? That is because in some cases that spell requires the mana of a High spell, and in some cases, the mana of a Grand spell! Do you think an Adept mage has that kind of mana capacity?
Even if a High mage tried to use this spell, their mana requirement automatically becomes that of a Grand spell, just because the spell evolves with the caster, and so does the mana required! There are rumors that the ’Crown of Force’ is an Archmage spell in disguise!"
The old man’s voice carried a heavy warning, but inside Rhys’s mind, a completely different reaction was taking place.
An Archmage spell in disguise? A spell that demanded the mana of a Grand Mage just to function at its peak?
To any ordinary mage in Azure City, that was an absolute death sentence. It was like trying to fuel a massive battleship with the gas tank of a small carriage.
The moment they tried to draw upon its true power, their mana cores would dry up instantly, causing a severe backlash that could permanently cripple their magical path.
But Rhys did not have a mana core. He did not have a fixed capacity. He had over ten billion days of lifespan sitting in his status screen. freewёbnoνel.com
If the spell demanded a massive price to unleash its evolving power, the system would simply convert his hoarded lifeforce into whatever energy the structure required. What was considered a broken, un-castable trap for others was the ultimate customizable weapon for him.
"I still want it," Rhys said, his face completely expressionless to hide his internal excitement. "Adept or Archmage, I’ll take the risk."
The librarian stared at him for a long moment, looking for any sign of hesitation. Seeing none, the old man let out another long sigh and shook his head.
"You youngsters never listen. Fine. But to get the three thousand credits, you have to take a few missions."
The old man reached under the counter and pulled out a heavy wooden board covered in dark iron tokens. These were the high-tier logistics clearing missions, the ones usually reserved for established parties of seasoned mages.
"Since you are officially registered as an Apprentice now, you can technically apply for the defensive logistics route through the Whispering Ravine," the librarian said, sliding a jagged iron token across the counter.
"A merchant caravan carrying rare spirit silks and medicinal herbs from the neighboring territory is passing through tomorrow. The route has been heavily harassed by Iron-Claw Baboons and low-tier stone monsters. The mission pays exactly three thousand five hundred credits upon successful completion."
Rhys picked up the cold iron token. The weight felt good in his hand. "Sounds fair. I’ll take it."
"Don’t celebrate too early, boy," the librarian warned, leaning back in his chair. "The caravan isn’t just hiring you. Because the route is dangerous, it’s a joint mission.
You will be paired with a newbie team from the Azure Lotus Sect’s outer circle who are looking to complete their annual combat quotas. Try not to let them get you killed, and more importantly, don’t let your stubbornness over that spell ruin your record."
Rhys nodded, slipping the token into his pocket. "Don’t worry, senior. I value my life more than anyone."
He gave the old man a short bow and walked out of the library, heading straight toward the bustling main hall of the MSFRM.
