Chapter Sixty-Five: The Pearl of Magical Power

At this moment, the female mage called by Antinoia finally turned around, her expression tinged with surprise as she gazed at the two who had suddenly appeared. Zhao Xu, from the faint glimpse of her face beneath the cloak, recognized her as Wang Ningwei, a woman who had left a deep impression on him. It was their reunion after several days. Yet Wang Ningwei likely had no idea that Zhao Xu had already noticed her at the awakening ceremony.

After estimating the time, Zhao Xu pieced together the sequence of events. Through the Arcane Throne, he had encountered the goddess of magic in the river of history, which damaged the throne, unable to bear the strain. The mage apprentices who, thanks to him, had awakened early, were forced back to their original states, delayed until the throne was repaired. These past couple of days were precisely when those apprentices had been promoted to full mages and had come to the square to practice spell recognition and casting.

Zhao Xu exhaled softly. Before him, Wang Ningwei had yet to gain the full charm bonuses; she lacked the breathtaking allure she would possess in his previous life. Nevertheless, the foundation was already visible. Beauty enhances a woman's appeal, but when paired with formidable power, it reaches perfection. Yet Zhao Xu felt not the slightest infatuation. Having mastered spells and experienced the recent surge of power, he was beginning to sense that state of “nothing matters but magic,” a realm beyond desire.

After Antinoia’s instructions, Zhao Xu had gathered his resolve. Wang Ningwei, standing before him, was no longer a peerless beauty, but rather the future first female mage among all Arthurian players.

“Hm?” Wang Ningwei’s features were serene, betraying no sign of unease. She glanced lightly at the administrator who had approached.

“Ningwei, do you know them?” A male player-mage drew near, trying to interpose himself between Zhao Xu and Wang Ningwei.

Zhao Xu’s expression shifted—so Wang Ningwei had used her real name since entering the game.

“Honored inheritor,” the administrator in a gray-and-gold-trimmed robe approached, bowing respectfully to Antinoia.

“That’s enough. Let this female mage cast a spell on him,” Antinoia said, her tone indifferent, devoid of emotion.

“Why should she?” the male player demanded loudly, veins bulging at his neck.

Several other players gathered around, curious about what was happening. Living atop Mystra's floating city, surrounded by only mage players, those from Earth were more united.

“Madam, please trust me,” the administrator interjected, his voice deep and persuasive. “Please heed the suggestion of this female mage and cast a spell on that mage. I guarantee this will benefit you greatly.”

Zhao Xu shook his head inwardly. If these Earth players hadn’t gained immunity to most mind-affecting spells over the past year, the administrator’s approach would not have been gentle persuasion, but direct magical influence over Wang Ningwei’s mind.

“Step aside,” Antinoia raised her voice slightly. As if her words held great magical force, the administrator bowed and moved back. Even the male player who had stood up for Wang Ningwei retreated a step, and the surrounding players, nearly cowed by the aura, held back their guesses about Antinoia’s true level.

“She is indeed quite beautiful,” Antinoia regarded Wang Ningwei thoughtfully. A pearl arced perfectly through the air and dropped straight into Wang Ningwei’s robe pocket. She wore the style typical of players who, unable to afford specialized mage robes, had sewn extra pockets onto ordinary ones.

“If you succeed in striking him with the force of ‘Magic Missile,’ the item in your pocket is yours,” Antinoia said, pointing to Zhao Xu standing behind her.

Curious players nearby started murmuring.

“Is that a pearl?”

“Wow, that must be worth a hundred gold pieces.”

“Our daily supply stipend is only a few GP, and that’s just material.”

“No wonder Ningwei was singled out by an NPC big shot at first glance.”

Wang Ningwei glanced at Antinoia and shook her head. “I refuse.” Her expression was calm; she didn’t even spare the pearl a glance.

“That is a Level One Mana Recovery Pearl, worth a thousand gold pieces,” Antinoia smiled, raising the stakes in everyone’s mind.

All the players around couldn’t help but gasp.

A thousand gold pieces. At many times, that meant something different. A year after the game began, when all Earthlings crossed into Arthur, a thousand gold could ensure a family of four lived in comfort for life. Before the crossing, it could buy the gear needed to stand out—armor and weapons for rising above the rest. Now, when everyone was short on funds, it was a powerful asset, even key startup capital for player factions.

With only a single “Magic Missile,” one could obtain an item worth a thousand gold.

Several players who admired Wang Ningwei felt their hearts racing, desire flickering at the edge of reason. They itched to step forward and say, “Let me do it.”

“I refuse,” Wang Ningwei’s voice was light and clear, piercing the silence of the square. She pulled the “Level One Mana Pearl” from her pocket and walked over to Antinoia, returning it.

“Is the stake insufficient?” Antinoia’s tone was cool.

“No, my spell slots are spent,” Wang Ningwei replied.

“You can use this Mana Pearl to restore your spell slots,” the administrator, who had retreated, stepped closer, thinking Wang Ningwei didn’t grasp the item’s power.

“I cannot guarantee his safety under the spell,” Wang Ningwei answered. A single Magic Missile could knock out a mage with low constitution.

Players nearby stared at the still unclaimed Mana Recovery Pearl, calculating when would be the best moment to speak up. Attacking a player to earn a thousand gold item—at worst, they’d waste one of Zhao Xu’s resurrection stones, and could simply compensate him later. With an account costing just two hundred ninety-nine, who couldn’t afford it?

“You may cast the spell on me,” Zhao Xu spoke up. “She is my mentor. She only wishes you to consider my abilities. All risks are under their control, so you need not worry,” Zhao Xu said.

Wang Ningwei’s conduct surprised him; she hadn’t become a paladin, but a mage. No, it was precisely because she was a mage that she had the strength to survive. In ancient times, the prerequisite for justice was power.

“Is that so?” Wang Ningwei met Zhao Xu’s gaze. Hearing him call Antinoia “mentor,” her wariness eased.

Zhao Xu looked into Wang Ningwei’s clear, unfathomable eyes, like a deep spring—any stray, impure thought felt like a desecration.

“That’s right.”