Chapter 19: Black Iron Mage, Skill Exchange (II)

Mages are far richer than most people can imagine, but their expenses would shock even the wealthiest merchants. Whether it’s spell equipment or various materials for research, the total cost is astronomical. As a result, most mages focus on one or two areas of study—choosing too many areas would overwhelm both their energy and finances.

In just a few minutes, the bodies of 39 magical beasts at the third level or above were divided among the mages present. Those who obtained the materials they wanted even gloated, saying that those who weren’t there had suffered a great loss.

It should be noted that merchants usually purchase only the lowest-grade magical beast corpses. Many beasts at the third level or above are beyond the capabilities of ordinary hunters and adventurers. Even if some such beasts do end up in the hands of merchants, they are transported to other cities in kingdoms where they can fetch higher prices. Only a few remain in the North County to be bought by local mages and nobles.

Moreover, most mages prefer to spend their time in laboratories conducting research, meditating, or practicing spells to improve their skills. They don’t like hunting magical beasts themselves. Only warriors who pursue martial prowess use hunting as a primary means of training. Yet, the number of advanced warriors isn’t much greater than that of mages!

This has led to rising prices for magical beast materials while the supply continues to decline.

The three carts of magical beasts brought by Donald were like a timely rain. With these, the mages present wouldn’t need to order more materials for at least half a year.

Recognizing the business opportunity, Donald also proposed using crystal cores instead of gold sols to purchase these materials. Magical beast crystal cores were of little use to some pure-element mages, far less important than elemental crystals, so they gladly agreed to pay with their accumulated crystal cores.

In this way, after receiving hundreds of gold sols, Donald also got crystal cores worth thousands of gold sols—most of them at the third level, with only two at the fourth level.

Both sides were satisfied after this transaction. Donald bid farewell to the mages and then followed his teacher to receive further instruction.

Elder Mage Messel had years of experience teaching apprentices, so he was undoubtedly very knowledgeable. Instead of teaching Donald powerful spells, he first explained some simple yet practical spell techniques, followed by a basic lesson in alchemy.

After several hours of training, Donald gained a great deal of foundational knowledge as a mage that he had previously lacked, which would prove invaluable for his future development. When the training was over, Messel allowed him to rest, while Donald, feeling no fatigue at all, went straight to the club’s library. Most mages praised his eagerness for knowledge, as only diligent study could lead to success; otherwise, even the most talented apprentices would waste their most precious years and make little progress on the path to becoming a mage, ultimately achieving nothing. This time, Donald’s main goal in the library was to study the notes of senior mages and learn from their experiences in advancing from apprentices to mages. Following his teacher Messel’s advice, his physical condition met the requirements for advancement—both in terms of mental strength and control over it—comparable to that of a normal first-level mage. What held him back was his understanding of spell formation and proficiency in casting spells. After all, having not received professional training since childhood, aside from his combat skills, he still had much to learn as an apprentice mage. So this time, Donald focused on laying a solid foundation and advancing quickly. He stayed at the club for another three days, spending time reading in the library and practicing spell casting repeatedly in the training ground. Unfortunately, after three days, Donald’s eagerness to advance still hadn’t yielded any results, leaving him increasingly anxious. “This won’t work; rushing won’t solve anything!” So he gave up the idea of advancing quickly and spent the next two days reading in the library or seeking advice from senior mages, with Messel providing the most help. He also practiced several spells in the training ground during his evenings. Thanks to the combined effects of meditation and the minor purification potion, he could dedicate 80% of his day to studying without feeling overly tired. Eventually, as he relaxed his approach to practice, he was able to cast a first-level spell effortlessly, which naturally stimulated the growth of his mental energy, allowing him to successfully advance from a zero-level apprentice to a full-fledged mage.

This process was truly remarkable, as if the soul were separating from the body. In that instant, Donald’s mental strength and ability to perceive elements increased several times over. The sensation was even stronger than when he used the white crystal ring for enhancement. To better assess his true strength, he removed the white crystal ring given to him by Messel at the beginning of his training and practiced spellcasting in its normal, unenhanced state.

After successfully advancing, Donald felt an immense sense of satisfaction, and it seemed his mental capacity had doubled as well. Meanwhile, the Book of Truth within his body sent him a surprising message.

By becoming a beginner black-iron mage, thanks to the enhancement in his mental strength, which in turn came from the strengthening of his soul, his access rights to the Book of Truth had also increased by one level.

Moreover, as mentioned earlier, with each level increase in the Book of Truth, the contract holder gains an opportunity to receive a skill reward. Now, he could obtain his first skill!

Donald had long desired the skills of various military units in Warcraft, especially those of the different races’ heroes. There was the Archmage’s Blizzard and Teleport, the Elven Prince’s Soul Drain and Flame Storm, the Paladin’s Invincible Sacred Shield and Revive, the Swordmaster’s Wind Walk, Mirror Doppelgänger, and Blade Storm, and so on. Each skill was powerful and had unique uses, and Donald almost wanted to acquire them all.

Of course, this was practically impossible. According to Warcraft’s rules, the Book of Truth divided levels into ten tiers based on the contract host’s profession and the soul level of summoned creatures. Beginner black-iron corresponded to LV1, while intermediate black-iron corresponded to LV2, which was the level of second-tier units. Except for the final gold tier at LV10, the levels followed a similar pattern.

In this world, strength levels were generally divided into five tiers: Apprentice, Black-iron, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Aside from Apprentices, each tier could be further divided into three stages.

Apprentices, needless to say, could usually join the army or become adventurers once they reached the Black-iron tier.

Taking mages, whom Donald knew best, as an example: Apprentices could use level 0 spells, while mages at the three Black-iron stages mastered spells from levels 1 to 3. Starting from level 4, spells became more widespread and powerful, marking the mage as a skilled Bronze-tier expert capable of operating independently. By the time they mastered advanced spells from levels 7 to 8, Silver mages became almost strategic human weapons capable of destroying an entire town on their own.

As for those at the Golden rank, they have already touched the power of the superficial laws and stepped into the realm of legends. Their bodies have evolved under the influence of these laws, transcending the limits of ordinary beings. If they wish, it is not difficult for them to overthrow kingdoms with a mere gesture.

Each being at the Golden rank is a formidable force, akin to a national treasure, serving as the ultimate deterrent to keep other forces in check. In Celt, the two known Golden-ranked powerhouses are on par with the king himself.

Donald only has ten skills to choose from, and this is the first one. However, he knows nothing about what lies beyond level nine; the Book of Truth provides no explanations at all. Even for masters like Messel, levels above nine remain a legend, and it is uncertain whether one can ever reach them in this lifetime.

“To possess ten powerful skills is already a tremendous advantage. One shouldn’t be too greedy!”

After all, the fact of being directly granted innate skills that are rooted in the soul’s essence is considered extremely extraordinary by others, almost like a divine gift. Usually, only descendants of gods or devout believers at the saintly level receive such abilities from the true gods.

Yet Donald does not worship any deity and is merely of ordinary human descent, yet he can now freely choose the skills he needs! This can no longer be called divine favor!

After much deliberation, Donald chose the Archmage’s ultimate skill, Teleportation—a skill that is neither offensive nor defensive—as his first innate spell.

The teleportation skill of human archmages is purely a means of escape, but at higher levels, it can also be an excellent tactic for surprise attacks.

Opening the Book of Truth, Donald checked the already digitized information about the skills.

“Teleportation, Archmage’s ultimate skill. Its power is reduced due to level restrictions. Allows single-person teleportation to any area within 100 kilometers that has been visited by allies. Cooldown: half an hour.”

“Upgrade paths: Advanced Teleportation (increases teleportation distance to 500 kilometers, reduces cooldown to 15 minutes); Group Teleportation (transports all units within 10 feet of the caster, increases distance to 1,500 kilometers, cooldown: 5 minutes); Ultimate Teleportation (can teleport to any target within the range visited by all allied units in this plane, no cooldown.)”

The reason for the cooldown time, according to the Book of Truth, is that the host’s physical strength and soul condition are not yet capable of withstanding continuous spatial teleportation over short periods. However, as Donald grows stronger and more advanced, this cooldown time will gradually decrease until it disappears entirely.
“With this skill at my disposal, it’s truly an excellent tool for both traveling and fighting!” Donald exclaimed after reading the series of explanations in the Book of Truth.
Although it has significant limitations in its early stages, the skill becomes extremely powerful as it levels up. Once his soul reaches LV3 and he possesses the strength of an advanced black-iron mage, he can learn Advanced Teleportation, allowing him to travel freely throughout the North County. At LV5, he can upgrade to Group Teleportation, enabling him to transport a certain number of creatures and objects within 1,500 kilometers—covering almost half of the land of the Celt Kingdom. By LV7, when he reaches the silver tier, he can upgrade to Ultimate Teleportation, allowing him to go anywhere in the world.
The reason he chose Teleportation as his first skill is that its ability to teleport instantly makes it the most powerful skill for escaping danger and ensuring safety during travel. In the early stages, it’s more effective than any attack or defense skill; even in the face of overwhelming enemies or dangerous situations, it allows him to escape instantly.
Skills like the Holy Shield of the Paladin or invincible potions may seem powerful, but they both have a maximum duration of 15 seconds in the early stages. For fast enemies, this time isn’t enough for them to take even a few steps before being caught again.
Currently, Donald’s strength is only at the beginning stage of black-iron, so Teleportation, which allows him to escape danger instantly, is undoubtedly his best choice at the moment.
With Teleportation as his backup, along with his powerful summoned army, even if he encounters a strong enemy at the silver tier, he can escape if he can’t defeat them.
Although other attack and defense skills are powerful, safety comes first, and teleporting is also much easier and more convenient than other means of travel.
While item exchanges include equipment like the Teleportation Staff or Escape Dagger, the casting speed of the skills attached to these items naturally can’t compare to his own skills. They’re also prone to interruption and have limitations such as only allowing teleportation to a predetermined base location. How can they compare to his own skills, which can be activated with a mere thought and are so fast and convenient? Teleportation also allows him to go to any place he’s been to within the distance limit.

With teleportation as a life-saving skill, even in danger, one can instantly teleport hundreds of kilometers away, greatly ensuring safety. Donald is now full of confidence for future hunts in Azeroth, no longer needing to be cautious and wasting many crystal cores in the process.