Chapter 4: Chapter 4 Glittering Gold
[Your understanding of magic has improved, and you can now control elements from a higher level, mastering a new Mage specialty—[Arcane Thought].]
[You have acquired the Mage specialty [Arcane Thought]!]
[Specialty: Arcane Thought—Intelligence Attributes receive a 2-fold value adjustment, Elemental Affinity +100%, arcane subsystem unlocked.]
Gazing at the Mage specialty newly displayed on the panel, Lis clenched his fist with satisfaction and swung it through the air before carefully rolling up the [Boba Ka's Arcane Notebook] in his hand and placing it inside the storage ring.
Even though he had already acquired the specialty [Arcane Thought], just possessing the ability wasn't enough; the notebook, which recorded the arcane research insights of the Legendary Mage Boba Ka, was still of great help in enhancing his mastery of the profession.
If nothing else, once he was done with it, he could also auction it off, a treasure eagerly sought after by many high-level mages!
For Lis, who once owned a gaming studio, returning everything neatly was the most basic professional rule.
After ensuring there were no other omissions, Lis casually picked up "Magic Development History of the Feis Kingdom" (Volume Seven) and walked to the upper-level eastern side of the high-level lounge, which was open only to nobles and other distinguished visitors.
Leisurely settling into a soft fur couch, with the faint, refreshing scent of mint spreading through the air, Lis had a diligent servant replace his brewed black coffee with hot cocoa, casually flipping through the hefty history tome with his thoughts already far from the text in front of him.
The specialty [Arcane Thought] was a crucial step for his main profession as a mage, focusing not on the effect of Elemental Affinity +100%.
Truthfully, there are many powerful specialties in the realm of mage professions, like the [Flame God] specialty Lis mastered in his previous life, which drastically increased the damage of Fire Magic by 50%.
The key lay in the phrase [unlocks arcane subsystem], which essentially paved the way for Lis to ascend to becoming an Arcanist.
Why become an Arcanist?
Without mentioning anything else, according to the data from the bygone Neserel Magic Empire,
among the mages who historically achieved legendary feats...
more than half had dabbled in being an Arcanist!
This conclusion has persisted to the present day and continues to be verified.
While no players from his previous life managed to reach legendary status, the strength of an Arcanist as their primary profession was well recognized.
It might seem weaker in the early stages, but as it develops later on and the exclusive arcane it controls gradually increases, its uniquely robust strength made it consistently rank within the top three of players' most dreaded opponents.
However, obtaining the [Arcane Thought] specialty so smoothly was still quite a surprise for Lis.
Being able to use his noble status to conveniently waive the qualification review required to enter the Royal Library proved his strategy was feasible.
He could completely bypass those intricate prerequisite quests and go directly for the ultimate treasures, which undoubtedly was a tremendous advantage.
Although he was still unsure whether the players from his past life would appear as expected, at least he remembered that those treasures indeed still existed in this world, quietly awaiting their moment to see the light of day.
Thinking of this, Lis's mood became even more spirited.
Just as Lis was daydreaming about becoming a legendary mage, commanding the Floating City, leading a giant dragon and the Constructed Magic Statue Army to conquer the boundless starry seas,
"Hey, isn't this our famously renowned Lord Viscount Kane? What's up, finally decided to get some air outside your study?"
A sly, somewhat cynical voice interrupted Lis's daydream, drawing his eyes away from the lines describing the glorious achievements of the Royal Mage Corps of the Feis Kingdom.
Standing before him was a slender young man of the same age, dressed in a white suit adorned with golden tassels and striking golden short hair, the whole person shimmering in gold, yet his complexion looked a bit pale.
If this scene were in a novel from Lis's previous life, it would definitely feature some young master jumping out to show off and smack the hero in the face.
Unfortunately, in Lis's memory, this young master was indeed a young master, but not one who was out to get him; rather, he was one of his only two best friends growing up.
The memories in his mind allowed Lis to naturally integrate into his social identity from his previous life.
Seeing this, Lis didn't even bother to get up, and while still leaning back on the couch, casually replied:
"Yo, isn't that Mora Karl, the famous scion of the Golden Rose Commerce? What's up, decided to leave your tender nest today?"
Mora waved his hand to dismiss the servant by his side and then slumped onto the couch next to Lis like he had suddenly deflated, a far cry from his dapper appearance moments ago, and retorted:
"It's been a while since I last saw you. When did you learn to be so sarcastic?"
"Picked it up from you. Speak your mind, I've never seen you around the Library."
"Can't I come see you without having a reason?"
Mora played with a gold coin in his hand, which bore the image of Quentin Fis, the first King of the Feis Kingdom.
"It's been a long time. How about we get together with Bernie sometime when you're free?"
"Isn't he busy doing research in the academy's Magic Workshop with his teacher?"
Lis put down the book in his hands and thought about this other best friend for a moment.
"Hey, who can just research all the time. Unlike you, who has been into research from a young age. I'd say it's better to go out and enjoy life more; otherwise, it's a life wasted."
The gold coin nimbly flipped back and forth between Mora's fingers as he spoke quite casually, indeed he had always wanted to drag Lis into some venture together.
"I'll be quite busy soon, but set it up and let me know."
After saying this, Lis closed 'The History of Magic Development in the Feis Kingdom' that he had been reading and placed it on the table beside him. Someone would surely put it back in place. He then stood up and prepared to leave.
"Leaving already just after meeting. Does that suit us? Has our friendship deteriorated that much?"
Mora put on a heartbroken expression but didn't budge an inch.
Lis didn't say anything and simply threw up a universally recognized friendly hand gesture.
"I have a party next week for my birthday, remember to come."
Mora mentioned this specifically, fearing Lis would, as usual, just lump his invitation together with a bunch of others on the table without a second glance.
Lis waved his hand to signal he understood, and after straightening his attire, he directly walked out of the lounge.
Mora didn't mind and happily sipped his coffee, rubbing his back as he enjoyed the rare downtime.
As Lis walked out of the Royal Library, escorted by the servants, Bender immediately brought over the carriage and opened the door to help Lis get in, then respectfully asked from outside the carriage door.
"Young master, are you going anywhere else afterward?"
Thinking for a moment and squinting his eyes, Lis said:
"Go to number 16 Langai Street in the West District."