Chapter Fifteen: Potential Points

"Mentor, is it possible for magic to truly preserve one's appearance?" Zhao Xu asked politely, though in truth he was subtly inquiring about her age. Deep down, he already harbored a vague suspicion.

The spell that halts aging, in ancient Western legends, never seemed like a benevolent form of magic. "A wizard's age is a closely guarded secret," Antinoa replied with a gentle laugh. "But I have never delayed my own aging."

Hearing this, Zhao Xu smiled inwardly—was she trying to fool a three-year-old? If there were non-magical ways to maintain youth, every woman would surely be obsessed.

"Time leaves no trace," said Antinoa.

Zhao Xu did not immediately grasp what Antinoa meant.

"Ninth-level arcane magic, cast through a token as the medium. As long as the recipient wears the token, their physical state is forever frozen at that age. My mentor cast this spell on me before I turned twenty, so even now, I retain the same appearance and body as I had then."

"But the price is that this body will never mature, and my mind remains locked as well. If a child receives this spell and never removes the token, they will forever possess a child's mind. So lately, I've been considering whether to take off the necklace for a few years and allow myself to grow older. Otherwise, this youthful face does feel rather childish."

Zhao Xu swallowed gently after hearing her words. He had not imagined that, without legendary magic, even a ninth-level spell could grant immortality. And it was a practical method, with virtually no side effects.

Such is the unreasonable power of the legendary wizards.

Thinking of this, Zhao Xu clenched his fists, his desire to become a high-level wizard burning ever stronger.

His parents, his loved ones, and his future partner—all would need this spell.

"Midsummer, you now have a chance. I can cast this spell on you," Antinoa's tone became solemn.

Zhao Xu grew serious as well.

Her words meant: an opportunity for immortality, with almost no aftereffects, was now before him.

"I wonder what price I must pay?" Zhao Xu asked.

There are no free meals in this world; from the moment his dual elite identity was exposed, he felt swept into some whirlpool.

He was already being watched, silently.

Other players might think this was merely a storyline arranged by the game.

But Arthur was real.

Even the gods watched them, not to mention the major powers within Arthur.

Thus, investment in players had never ceased.

The natives of Arthur cared little for fairness among players. Yet Antinoa's offer—immortality within the game—would probably sound laughable to other players, as if this NPC lacked intelligence, granting such a meaningless reward.

But Zhao Xu understood what it meant.

As long as this world was real, so too was the possibility to live forever.

"Join our organization. When we need you, you must act for our cause."

Zhao Xu was puzzled. "Your organization is...?"

"The Mage Association headquarters?" he guessed, then immediately dismissed the thought.

Most mages, for ease of exchanging spells, copying magic, and purchasing scrolls or materials, pay dues to join the Mage Association. When Zhao Xu reached first-level wizard, he automatically became a member, with three years’ fees waived.

In that case, there would be no need for secrecy.

Hiring a familiar mage to cast a ninth-level spell costs fifteen hundred gold coins as a service fee, with extra charges for rare spells. This immortality spell likely required expensive materials—perhaps ten thousand gold coins, all told.

Yet most people are blocked at the step of knowing “a mage who can and is willing to cast ‘Time Leaves No Trace’.”

"The Mage Association has many branches. Our organization is called—The Final Scroll."

Zhao Xu’s expression changed instantly. He hurriedly flipped his book back to the first few pages, rereading the records there.

Legend held that the secrets of magic were first inscribed upon a scroll. Its first owner was Sisservina, the Goddess of Magic.

The scroll automatically records every magic in the world, including legendary spells.

To possess it is to command all magic, and to use it as a foundation for researching legendary spells.

Yet the true reason why all coveted the scroll was this:

If someone comprehends the final secret of the scroll, they can replace the Goddess of Magic and become the true God of Magic.

The name of this scroll was precisely "The Final Scroll."

The organization called The Final Scroll was founded to guard it.

Because the scroll contains secrets that transcend divinity, it cannot be removed from Arthur’s main plane, nor sealed within the goddess’s divine realm.

Suddenly, Zhao Xu felt a great weight upon his shoulders.

He merely wished to level up, to protect his family in future turmoil.

Who would have thought he would become entangled with such a world-shaking organization?

The Goddess of Magic is said to be the greatest divine being today—highest in divinity, strongest in power, with countless followers.

This is a mighty pillar to lean on.

When Zhao Xu sensed the goddess’s attention on him, he had switched his faith without hesitation—choosing divine worship for this very reason.

Yet, without sufficient ability, who would dare climb so high?

Anyone who plots for “The Final Scroll” must have gods or even forces from the abyss and hell behind them.

Zhao Xu only wished to linger at the fringes, to reap some benefits; he never expected to be drawn directly into the core.

Suddenly, he understood why the black-robed mage said he would become a priest.

Gods are not omnipotent, but priests are their representatives.

Divine magic is the strongest link between the two.

No matter where a priest travels, their god can locate them precisely.

Magic barriers are useless; it is a connection that transcends magical power.

Thus, the goddess needs him to be a priest.

But the question returned—

"Why me?" At that moment, Zhao Xu was calm and rational.

He was not even a first-level wizard.

Investing in potential is something major powers often do.

But an organization like The Final Scroll does not need to expand its membership.

For many matters, they directly enlist the Mage Association headquarters or the goddess’s church for assistance.

They require only the most elite mages—legendary wizards, legendary priests with combat ability.

Outstanding pupils in elementary school may be recruited by middle school, but universities do not join the fray—this is no gifted class.

"My dual elite status does grant me considerable potential, but for a top organization like yours, it may not be significant," Zhao Xu said.

His dual elite status allowed him to cultivate both divine and arcane magic at minimal cost.

To many organizations, he was a valuable asset, doubling their returns for the same investment.

Yet, for The Final Scroll—essentially the goddess’s last reliance in the world—such advantages were trivial.

They had no shortage of ninth-level, legendary wizards, or legendary priests.

"Potential points," Antinoa suddenly replied.