Chapter 16: Accepting the Challenge, Summoning!

Hearing Donald’s refusal and seeing his mocking expression, even the stupidest of Sodo and the others could tell they were being mocked.
“I reject your proposal!”
“This ring was given to me, a mere apprentice, by Master Mesel himself. How can it be used as stakes? It’s not only disrespectful to the master but also a display of contempt for all mages in North County!”
As Donald spoke these words with righteous indignation, barely holding back his laughter, fear flashed across Sodo and the others’ faces.
The quartz ring given by his master must be quite famous among mages. Donald wasn’t surprised that they recognized it.
Quartz, also known as divine crystal, could enhance the strength of mental power. Worn for a long time, it could train mental power and slightly permanently improve its quality. It was also said to increase one’s devotion, which was why it was highly sought after by clergy members of various churches across the continent. Believed to be a gift from the gods, it earned its name as divine crystal.
After researching the books in the Mage Association, Donald learned that this ring could boost mental power strength. Worn constantly, it would bring many benefits as an apprentice. That’s why he had worn it ever since returning from the Mage Association.
As for the other ring on his left hand, it was extremely beautiful—made of gold with a circle of jade at its center, surrounded by several diamonds, large and small. Though it looked luxurious, it wasn’t just an ornamental item; it was a magical protective ring he had exchanged for from the Book of Truth.
Although it was one of the cheaper protective gear, offering only two levels of extra energy armor that increased defense by 20%, its seemingly modest attributes could still turn a fatal attack into a serious injury, a serious injury into a moderate one, a moderate injury into a minor one, and a minor injury into a slight one, thanks to its protective shield.

This is still just the most basic Guardian Ring, obtained by exchanging the energy of around twenty cubic units of low-grade elemental crystals. If one is willing to spend more energy to obtain Guardian Rings of levels +1, +2, or even the highest level of +3, it can provide an additional five levels of armor, boosting one’s defense by fifty percent. In other words, with such equipment on, unless it’s a soul-based attack like a curse spell, or even an attack from a true god, the damage endured will be only half before the ring reaches its limit.

Of course, this is just a metaphor—no matter how powerful the equipment, it still has its limits. The equipment described in the Book of Truth was created based on the laws of this world, and lower-grade equipment is likely to be destroyed after withstanding just one powerful attack.

Fortunately, there are numerous types of equipment in Warcraft. Just among defensive gear, there’s more than just the lowest-level Guardian Rings. If one is willing to spend energy to acquire several pieces and combine them, it can turn a weak mage into a powerful shieldbearer who can take on enemies alone!

In addition to the Guardian Rings, Donald also spent a considerable amount of energy to obtain a piece of equipment that resembled a magnificent magic staff—the Veto Staff.

After all, which mage doesn’t have their own exclusive staff? Unless they’re truly penniless and can’t even afford a mage robe.

A staff that can enhance spell effects and even add spells is a vital weapon for mages in battle. Even if their magic power runs out, a mage with a staff still has a few tricks up their sleeve to save themselves.

Although the mage apprentice isn’t yet ready to use a staff properly, Donald didn’t mind preparing one for show!

Moreover, the Veto Staff isn’t only beautifully designed but also possesses decent skills: it can dispel all magical effects within three feet of the target and deal damage to summoned creatures equivalent to that of a level-3 offensive spell. Although its effects last only three seconds and it can be used five times a day, using it suddenly is enough to interrupt the casting of any spells below level 5.

That’s why Donald didn’t choose cheaper staff-type equipment like the Wand of Witchcraft or the Staff of Blinking Shields from the exchange list. Such cheap items are consumable with usage limits—once their skills are used up, they become useless decorations. They’re not as good as the Veto Staff and Guardian Rings, which are permanent items with only skill-cooldown limitations.

Speaking of this, it must be mentioned that the magical items in the Book of Truth are divided into three categories: consumable items, ability-enhancing items, and permanent items. All of these categories are further divided by rank into ordinary magical items, legendary magical items, and powerful sub-legendary artifacts. Magical items themselves are classified into four levels: minor, low, intermediate, and high. The Veto Staff and the Guardian Ring both belong to the intermediate level of magical items, which are considered quite advanced equipment for Donald’s current rank.

When Donald mentioned Master Mesel again, the Snow Mage did not dare to show disrespect. If anyone found out that he deliberately sought the items given by that master, it would be no less than a provocation to a top-tier sixth-level mage—especially one who could advance to a higher level at any time.

So, he settled for pointing at the half-human-height, exquisitely crafted staff in Donald’s hands, his eyes burning with enthusiasm. “Since it’s a gift from the master, it’s indeed not suitable as a bet. Then, your staff will do! Remember, you’re still an apprentice—your status doesn’t allow you to overstep your bounds. An apprentice holding a staff can’t become a full-fledged mage. Do you really intend to use it to deceive others?”

The Veto Staff looked extremely exquisite, made of ivory-white wood. At the center of its spear-like head were two red gems, one large and one small. Platinum rings were fixed at both ends of the staff, making it clear that it had an extraordinary origin.

How could a mere apprentice possess a high-level staff that only powerful mages could wield? How could the Snow Mage, who had been a mage for many years yet only had a low-grade pine staff, not feel jealous? Looking at the ring and staff in the young apprentice’s hands, a fierce greed flashed in the old mage’s eyes.

With these two pieces of equipment, his strength could at least reach the peak of the fourth level!

“It seems these two consider me to be that foolish and reckless youth who won’t give up until he achieves his goal. Well, I’ll play along with them!”

Seeing that the other party had changed the bet and targeted his staff, Donald sneered inwardly.

“This staff?”

He raised the staff in his hand and said proudly, “This Veto Staff comes from the legendary staff of the Grand Archmage Lord of the Ancient Arcane Empire. Though it’s just an imitation, it still possesses one-tenth of the true staff’s power. It allows an apprentice to cast spells that even mid-tier black-iron mages can’t master. If it were put up for auction in the imperial capital, its price would be at least ten thousand gold sols. Since this is a bet, fairness is essential. I wonder if you can offer a stake of equal value?”
The instant Donald spouted those lies without hesitation, the two men who had their eyes on the staff were shocked.
Sordo was stunned by the staff’s value—ten thousand gold sols! He had never seen so much money gathered together in his life! The old mage, on the other hand, was alarmed by the origin Donald mentioned for the staff.
“A legendary staff! What kind of treasure is that? It’s considered a weapon second only to divine artifacts, and only great figures like the Grand Archmage Lord of the Ancient Arcane Empire or the emperor of the Ancient Magic Empire could possess it!”
“A treasure like that is beyond the reach of a lowly mage like him. Even Messel, the top mage in the Northern County, wouldn’t be able to control such a thing—otherwise, it would surely bring disaster upon him!”
“Although this staff is just an imitation, a replica of a legendary staff requires at least a silver-tier alchemist to create. Such items are always priceless treasures in the royal capital. One can only imagine its value. I really don’t know how this young apprentice got it—maybe Messel gave it to him, or he inherited it from some ancient mage?”
“Yes, that must be it. Otherwise, a staff like this wouldn’t appear in a place like the Northern County! Truly, ignorance breeds courage—daring to show off such a treasure carelessly!”
Mage Xue racked his brains, forming his own “correct” theory about the staff’s origin. After exchanging a brief glance with Sordo, Sordo stepped forward and said, “I can offer one thousand gold sols in cash, along with an IOU for three thousand gold sols, witnessed by Baron Red Maple. I think that should satisfy you!”
The middle-aged merchant nodded. Such a bet posed no loss to his interests, and it would also allow him to assess both sides’ strength, so he was willing to act as a witness.
He promptly lent Sordo three thousand gold sols in his own name, stipulating that if Sordo lost and couldn’t repay the money in a short time, he would have to use a tannery in his territory as collateral.

Seeing that Baron Red Maple agreed to serve as a witness and lend him money, Sodo thought he was certain to win and had no doubts about the other party’s sincerity. With a smug smile, he quickly signed the loan agreement, received three thousand gold sols from the baron’s steward, and then gave a subtle signal to the old mage beside him.

Originally, the plan they had agreed upon was for Sodo to cover the cost himself; if they won, the prize would belong to Mage Xue, who would also give Sodo appropriate compensation. If they lost, they would share the loss. It was only then that the old mage agreed readily.

But unexpectedly, the value of the opponent’s staff far exceeded their imagination. Sodo was unaware of the situation, while Mage Xue, who had been a mage for decades, knew the value of such a high-grade staff! If it truly had the origin and power Donald claimed, it would fetch well over ten thousand gold sols at the royal capital’s auction house. Ten thousand was merely the starting bid; at least thirty thousand would be needed to acquire it. Moreover, only major nobles and powerful factions had the right to participate in the auction. In the end, Master Xue couldn’t resist the temptation of greed. After looking at Donald’s exquisite staff, though reluctantly, he took out his pocket and poured out a dozen crystal-clear colored crystals.

“This is one crystal core from a level-five magical beast, two from level-four, and twelve from levels three and two. In total, fifteen crystal cores, which are worth about four thousand gold sols at market price! I’ll use these as my bet!”

This was all his wealth. If he lost, he would have to serve a noble for over ten years just to recover it!

The cheapest level-two crystal core was worth about five or six gold sols, level-three cores cost between thirty and a hundred gold sols, level-four cores were worth at least several hundred gold sols depending on their quality, and level-five cores generally started at over a thousand gold sols.

Calculating this way, the actual value of these fifteen crystal cores was roughly what Master Xue had said.

Donald looked at the crystals and felt pleased, but he said dissatisfiedly, “By this calculation, your total bet is only worth eight thousand gold sols. It seems like I’m at a disadvantage!”

Sodo had full confidence in Master Xue and was afraid this seemingly certain victory might not happen. He quickly argued, “If you win, you can take the bet right away. But if we win, we still have to travel to the royal capital for the auction. Those expenses should be included too, right?”

After pretending to consider it for a while, Donald reluctantly nodded, “Alright!”

“I may be just an apprentice, but I’m not someone a third-rate wild mage can insult at will! In the name of a mage’s dignity and a noble’s honor, I, Donald Merlina, an apprentice mage, accept Snow Mage’s challenge! My staff shall be the stake!”
Sodo and his companion were shocked to hear that Donald refused to engage in a spell-training contest and instead prepared to fight a high-level Black Iron mage. After their initial surprise, they were overjoyed—this would surely guarantee them a victory!
“Little Donald, are you really going to do this?”
Baron Redmap reminded him from the side. Though he had ulterior motives regarding Sodo, since Donald and he were somewhat close after competing, he had organized this banquet to win over the promising young man. He didn’t want Donald to act impulsively and fall for the other party’s tricks, so he gave him the warning.
Donald smiled at the middle-aged merchant and said confidently, “Don’t worry, Lord Eustace! As a mage and a noble, one must uphold their dignity! I won’t abandon my pride out of fear of a Black Iron mage’s strength. If anyone is worried, we can sign a contract, with you as the witness!”
Sodo and his companion were thrilled—once a contract was signed, even without a priest’s witness, it held significant binding force among nobles, and they weren’t afraid Donald wouldn’t honor it if he lost.
Overjoyed, Sodo immediately asked Baron Redmap to have someone draft the contract, fearing Donald might back out.
Soon, the baron’s steward wrote down the contract according to both parties’ wishes, creating three copies—one for each competitor and one for the witness.
Donald checked it carefully before signing the finalized contract. Then, with a cold expression, he said to Sodo and his companion, “Let’s begin! Let this apprentice see just how remarkable a Black Iron mage really is!”
“It’s not too late to surrender. Otherwise, you might lose control and hurt you, the apprentice!”
Faced with the old mage’s threat, Donald wasn’t afraid at all. Seeing that the other party had rejected his offer and insisted on fighting, the old mage felt an inexplicable worry, though he quickly dismissed that impossible thought.
“An apprentice, no matter how skilled, is still just an apprentice. How could they compare to a Black Iron mage like me, especially one at the peak of that rank?” With a cold snort, he stopped talking.
Led by their host, the group soon arrived at the small square in front of the manor’s villa. The space there was sufficient for the duel, large enough to allow full movement without constraints, and far enough apart to prevent accidental harm.

Upon arriving, although the old mage didn’t think this young apprentice had anything to rely on to secure victory and win the bet, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy again upon seeing Donald’s fearless attitude. But after a moment’s thought, he dismissed his ridiculous worries. Though the replica of the legendary staff was powerful, as the other party had said, it could only allow the apprentice to cast second-level attack spells. He, being a powerful mage at the peak of black iron rank, had no trouble resisting second-level spells. Even if the apprentice used spell scrolls, his mental strength wouldn’t allow him to activate third-level scrolls in a short time. As long as it wasn’t a spell above third level, he could handle it and still win. So, Mage Xue adjusted his attire and, with the demeanor of an elder, waved his staff. “Get ready first! I don’t want people to say I’m bullying an apprentice who hasn’t mastered even first-level spells!” Donald didn’t say much. Such arrogance from the other party was simply inviting trouble. He then took one of the only two third-level magical beast cores he had and began reciting spells on the spot. “In the name of mine, break the bonds of space! Existences from another world, emerge! Treedemon girl girl!”