Chapter Fifty: In an Instant

From the moment Zhao Xu decided to become stronger, his choice of professional path was already influenced by the Final Scroll. At first, he thought the lack of specific guidance on his choice of domains was a trivial matter. Only when he saw the piece of parchment specially drawn by the priest onstage did he realize things were far from simple.

From the Mage Association to the Final Scroll, their influence within the Church of the Goddess was beyond his imagination. It extended so deep that even his last-minute decision to come and select his domains was immediately able to affect the priest conducting the lesson, guiding Zhao Xu toward the right choices.

The only thing that puzzled him was that three domains had been designated for him.

The priest who had just instructed them had clearly stated that each priest could only select two domains.

Nevertheless, Zhao Xu did not let this stop him. He carefully read the notes attached to the three domains.

Magic: Required for advancement as a Spell Guardian
Planning: Prerequisite for the Spell Longevity feat
Knowledge: Domain exchange

All three notes had been deliberately appended by someone. Most importantly, there was a signature at the end—Antinoia.

Seeing this, Zhao Xu drew a sharp breath. In this day and age, no one would dare forge the signature of a legendary mage.

At this realization, Zhao Xu felt a wave of emotion. His mentor was still watching over him after all. The reasons for choosing each domain were clearly written, entirely in Antinoia’s style.

He continued to study the document, wanting to understand the divine powers granted by these three domains.

The divine power of the Magic domain allowed him to add his priest level when using scrolls and similar magical devices. This was of average significance to him, but it was a prerequisite for advancement—so even if it was a burden, he had to choose it.

The Planning domain granted the “Spell Longevity” feat.

The Knowledge domain allowed all knowledge skills to be treated as priest class skills, and granted +1 caster level when casting divination spells.

To Zhao Xu, the Planning domain was the most valuable. It was the equivalent of a feat: by expending a higher-level spell slot, he could double the duration of his spells.

In fact, both of a priest’s domains were essentially equivalent to two feats—nothing to be overlooked.

Nodding to himself, Zhao Xu continued to browse through the domain spells listed below.

Each of the three domains contained a list with one spell for each level from first to ninth. As a first-level priest, he gained one slot for a first-level domain spell, allowing him to prepare one spell from among the three domains’ first-level selections.

For a first-level player with limited spell slots, this was certainly a significant advantage.

According to the progress posts on the forum, gaining access to a domain generally required a corresponding opportunity. Even the fastest players took at least two afternoons to complete the process; since he had three domains, Zhao Xu estimated it might take him even longer.

He looked up at the other apprentice priests in the small hall—each wore a serious expression as they stared at their parchment. Even if they had some prior understanding, actually confronting the power of the domains left them all bewildered.

“Decide which domains you wish to choose, then pray to the Goddess. After that, you must deepen your understanding of these domains’ powers in your own way,” the guiding priest explained at the right moment. “For example, if you have previous training as a mage, you will progress much faster in the Magic domain. If you have studied ancient texts, you will acquire the Knowledge domain’s power more quickly. Now, begin your prayers. You may leave and seek inspiration in your own way. I will instruct each of you individually in the hall.”

The process was quite clear. As a first-level mage, Zhao Xu felt he would have a considerable advantage here; perhaps he really could finish in just three afternoons.

“Have you chosen your domains yet?” A girl’s voice came from behind him.

Zhao Xu turned to see Xiao Ke, the apprentice priestess who had chatted with him that morning.

“Most of them awakened one or two domains in the past half month. I’m the only one who hasn’t, so I had to retake the training this session. Luckily, I ran into you,” she said.

Zhao Xu nodded. “I’m still thinking.”

He’d noticed earlier that other players seemed to gather around this girl; she was indeed naturally sociable.

But Zhao Xu didn’t feel any particular loneliness in this foreign place; he wasn’t interested in clinging to a group just for the sake of it. He had far too much to focus on—let alone chasing after girls, he didn’t even have time to chase after goddesses.

Getting stronger was his only priority.

“Will you share your experience with me later? You seem so smart. I’m just too dense—they’ve explained it so many times and I still don’t get it,” she said.

“Sure, if I find anything useful,” Zhao Xu replied.

He then closed his eyes and began to pray to the Goddess.

Magic, Planning, Knowledge.

He silently repeated the names of the three domains and recalled the prayers from that morning.

Just as he was about to begin, right at the moment before he started to recite the prayer, he once again felt that familiar sensation of divine magic awakening within him.

A flash of insight struck his mind—

[Apprentice Priest Midsummer has gained the Magic Domain.]
[Apprentice Priest Midsummer has gained the Planning Domain.]
[Apprentice Priest Midsummer has gained the Knowledge Domain.]

Three notifications appeared in succession on his character panel.

Zhao Xu was momentarily stunned, unsure what had just happened.

He looked down at his list of feats and, sure enough, “Spell Longevity” was already there, clearly marked as coming from the Planning domain.

His information panel might be buggy, but the character sheet never lied.

He had truly gained the powers of these domains—so smoothly that it felt unreal.

For the first time, Zhao Xu wondered if his luck was simply extraordinary; even the fastest player only managed this after two afternoons.

He opened his eyes and glanced around the small hall. Most of the apprentice priests hadn’t even managed to enter a prayerful state; several were pacing, lost in thought about what to do next.

And he was already finished?

Zhao Xu stood up as well.

“Where are you going?” Xiao Ke asked, surprised.

“I’m going out to look for inspiration,” Zhao Xu replied, shaking his head.

That was right; he should use this time to seek inspiration from other lessons.

He had already gained the domain powers in full.

Eager to move on to the next training session, Zhao Xu strode out of the small hall.

A few other apprentices had also gone out in search of inspiration, so his departure did not attract attention.

But just as he reached the stairwell outside, Zhao Xu was surprised to see Leanne, the Mage Association’s liaison to the church, coming toward him.

“Kid, you saw that parchment, right? I had someone slip it to you on purpose. I also brought a few things that might help you awaken your domains more smoothly—who knows, maybe you’ll succeed by tomorrow,” Leanne said, glancing around at the crowded corridor and switching to a spell to communicate, waving a package in her hand.

“No need,” Zhao Xu replied simply.

“What?”

“I just gained the powers of all three domains.”

“…”