Chapter 186: Truly Striking It Rich
Gianda grew happier the more he looked at it. This Spell Model of Alarm had clearly undergone adaptive adjustments, perfectly fitting the current mana environment.
Current mana casting is not the same as previous mana casting.
The Magic Net is a woven structure of magic, a bridge connecting the spellcaster’s consciousness to primal mana. The vast majority of primal mana is constrained by the Magic Net, becoming standardized and structured.
Such energy mechanisms and rule constraints make it difficult for ordinary wizards to bypass the Magic Net and directly manipulate primal mana. The Goddess of Magic dislikes people doing so; she regards the Magic Net as the cornerstone of world order and spares no effort to extend it throughout the multiverse.
Therefore, the same mana casting means that previous spell models should differ significantly from those now.
Anse sat calmly to the side, not worried at all that the other party might take it without paying.
It was just a First Ring spell scroll at most. If the other party was greedy even for this, then the so-called Magic Research Society was probably not up to much.
The dice spun for a while and finally detected the target information:
【Gianda, human, 16th-level wizard（School of Conjuration）】
‘One step away from mastering Nine-Ring Spells, a high-level wizard. This step must be difficult.’ Anse thought to himself.
At this moment, Gianda turned the unfurled scroll face down on the table, his face wrinkling with smiles: “Let me formally introduce myself. I’m Gianda Stayanoga, senior researcher at the Magic Research Society, specializing in the School of Conjuration.
Mr. Trist, your spell model is very mature. May I ask what is the highest ring of spells you can cast now?”
“Second Ring.” Anse did not hide it.
He didn’t know how many spell models the Magic Research Society had, but low-ring spells were suitable to release, without attracting covetous eyes.
Gianda was inevitably a bit disappointed, but he didn’t show it. Instead, he probed: “Have you always used mana casting? This spell model…”
He stopped midway, but Anse understood instantly and said calmly: “I’m a sorcerer, multiclass wizard, always mana casting. I can only provide First Ring spell models that I have mastered for now.”
“No problem. As long as there are no duplicates, two thousand pounds of gold per First Ring spell.” Gianda stopped asking and decided to proceed step by step, gradually winning him over.
“I have a question too.”
“Please go ahead.”
“Is the Magic Research Society’s headquarters on Toril? Why not go to Candlekeep? They’ve been through the magical plague era, so they should have knowledge on this, right?” Anse felt the Magic Research Society was seeking far afield when near options existed.
In terms of knowledge reserves, no one could bypass Candlekeep.
Back then, Grand Reader Italo had bought application techniques for a First Ring spell from him. This attitude of not missing any high-value knowledge made him think Candlekeep must be quite “wealthy.”
Gianda said helplessly: “The Magic Research Society’s headquarters is indeed in Faerun. After the Magic Net became chaotic, we tried to contact Candlekeep immediately, but magical communications were cut off. We could only send people there, but the journey is far, disasters are frequent, and travel is difficult. We haven’t made contact yet.
We’re pinning our hopes on Abel World and other astral systems. We’ve had some gains so far, but due to differences in magic theory and mana environments, many spell models can only be successfully cast by veteran wizards. They’re not user-friendly for most spellcasters and require targeted adjustments.
Spell models suitable for the general public are the good ones. For example, your Alarm is very standard. It’s clearly created based on Toril’s magic theory foundation…”
Candlekeep is far away, while Anse is right here. Better to secure him first.
Anse nodded silently: “Maybe… Candlekeep has its own troubles.”
“If you’re willing to trade, shall I handle your membership now?”
“No problem.”
“Ms. Delilah, could you please wait outside?” Gianda politely gestured for her to leave.
Delilah pursed her lips, stood up, and gave Anse a brilliant smile: “I’ll wait for you in the dining room.”
“Okay.” Anse wasn’t one to discard helpers after using them; she had indeed helped a lot.
Next, he discussed the transaction details and membership specifics with Gianda.
Membership requires registration, no real name needed, but a stable contact method and mana imprint must be left for the society to make a unique identity plaque for him.
Anse continued using Trist as his codename. Trust needs to be built step by step; he couldn’t reveal his background right away.
The transaction included eight First Ring spells, among which Mage Armor and False Life were duplicates that the society already had, but Gianda still accepted them.
The Alarm spell scroll counted as a gift.
Anse’s idea was simple. Since the Magic Research Society had a knowledge protection system, there was no need to release them one by one, lest some genius or Candlekeep get there first.
Now that the disaster had just begun, the Magic Research Society was desperate, and prices were sky-high. In a while, bounties would inevitably plummet; it was an inevitable pattern.
First probe the waters with First Ring spells. If the Magic Research Society kept its promises, he would sell Second Ring spells later.
He used the Wizard’s Quill from the「Book of Castella」 to copy all eight spells onto the parchment provided by Gianda, taking only a few dozen minutes.
This was just a normal spell transcription, not a spell scroll.
After Gianda checked them one by one, he locked the parchment recording the spell knowledge along with the Alarm spell scroll into a box, then paid promptly.
Eight spells in total, two thousand pounds of gold per spell, for a total of sixteen thousand pounds of gold, equivalent to eight hundred thousand gold coins.
After converting it in his mind, Anse’s breathing grew heavy, his heart raced, and his palms grew sweaty.
And this wasn’t all. If wizards bought his spells, he would get twenty percent of the benefits. Even if one spell sold for a hundred gold coins, it would be a fortune, lasting a hundred years.
Gianda didn’t bring that much gold, only five small boxes of gold bars, one thousand pounds each, containing two hundred five-pound gold bars inside.
Gold is dense; one thousand pounds forms a cube less than thirty centimeters on each side. Faerun’s gold is generally not very pure, so the volume is slightly larger.
For the shortfall, he paid with five hundred pounds of platinum ingots, one mithril ingot, and dozens of high-value magic gemstones.
In the end, Anse came out ahead. Value density is also an important measure of goods’ worth. Many things can’t be exchanged for gold or platinum, but magic gemstones and mithril can.
Gianda didn’t feel any pain from it; the smile never left his face: “Not considering Second Ring spells? This bounty won’t last forever.”
“I’ll come back in seven days.” Anse felt a momentary temptation but still politely declined.
“Then be careful. When buying things, try not to go to the trading market. Traveler’s Respite isn’t absolutely safe…” Gianda repeatedly admonished, looking quite uneasy.
“I will.” Anse put the gold and gemstones into the dragonhide pouch, opened the door, but then remembered a problem he had always overlooked.
He turned to look at Gianda and was silent for a moment: “Wizard Gianda, what happened to the Magic Net?”
“I don’t know. The president took a magic ship to an outer plane and hasn’t returned. There are rumors of a god war breaking out in the outer planes, but it’s unconfirmed.” Gianda sighed faintly, his eyes dazed.
“Thanks for sharing.” Anse gave a slight bow and closed the door properly after leaving.
He composed himself, not dwelling on the issue. Even if a god war had broken out, a small professional without faith or strength had no right to get involved.
‘Better to get a couple of legendary items. Just hope they’re not hard to buy.’
