Middle-aged mage Hughes also stepped inside, observing the owner of this luxurious mansion. As the female mage Valentina entered, multiple cards resembling holographic projections appeared in midair above the hall.
Each card was about the size of a palm, with intricate magical runes on the back and gold-trimmed edges.
The front side displayed colorful pencil sketches resembling simple illustrations, exquisitely depicting various objects. The majority of these depicted materials, items, and other non-living entities.
"These cards represent the resources Edwin has applied for, including scrolls for low-level spells such as the 'Light Spell,' 'Message Spell,' 'Arrow Shooting Spell,' 'Throw Object,' 'Detect Magic,' and 'Fireball Spell.'
There are also offensive spells like 'Fireball Spell' and 'Blazing Sphere'..."
As Hughes examined them, he began to grasp the situation.
Valentina spoke expressionlessly, "Over the past few days, I've been continuously using the 'Divination Spell' for predictions.
However, due to the inherent limitations of divination, it's impossible to directly connect unrelated information. Targets involving living beings are also prone to interference.
Therefore, I anchored my predictions using the inventory records of the Wizard Tower's resource vault to track the usage of these materials.
It has been confirmed that during this battle, they consumed over three times the usual amount of ammunition, with firepower far exceeding normal combat levels.
The usage of 'Shield Spell' and 'Mage Armor' also showed abnormal excess."
"This at least suggests that Edwin encountered enemies with extremely high defensive capabilities or that the enemy was hiding in a fortress or secret vault that was difficult to breach."
Hughes quickly pondered.
"It's likely the latter...
Additionally, the enemy must have had formidable close-combat abilities.
Combined with the creation of golems...
We can roughly reconstruct the battle scenario."
Valentina said, "In the coming days, I'll continue using 'Divination' to deduce more.
To prepare for the worst, we should assume he possesses upper-tier first-level Wizard capabilities, with an attack power exceeding 225 degrees.
However, based on Edwin's use of 'Mage Armor' and 'Flight Spell,' it's impossible for him to have the 800-degree attack power of a second-level Wizard...
I plan to request three 'Protection from Energy Damage' scrolls with over 500 degrees of power, as well as 'Reverse Arrows' magic scrolls..."
Hughes replied, "Direct confrontation isn't advisable. We should prepare more scrolls like 'Web Spell,' 'Grease Spell,' and 'Slow Spell.'
But this means the battlefield must be restricted...
It would be best to start by sealing the exits with 'Seal Door Spell' and using enchantment spells like 'Silent Image' to disrupt his movements..."
Valentina countered, "No, spellcasters of formal rank and above primarily cultivate their mental fortitude and possess inherent resistance.
I intend to request the 4th-circle 'Shadow Conjuration' to simulate 'Sensory Deprivation' and weaken him specifically with the necromancy spell 'Feeblemind'..."
As Hughes listened, his heart raced.
The Arcane system—the use of various spellcasting tools and abilities—was practically burning money.
Setting aside other considerations, just the two 4th-circle spell scrolls alone would cost hundreds of thousands of Magic Crystal Coins.
Forget about knowledge for a moment—this level of resources wasn't something just any mage could afford.
Valentina's next words left him with mixed emotions.
"Besides, we'll need a powerful binding method...
For his lair, we'll require 3 to 5 times the usual spell firepower coverage...
But this time, I don't plan to follow Edwin's traditional assault strategy. Instead, we'll adopt the long-range bombardment tactics from the technological world!
Edwin was too eager for merit last time, wanting to capture him alive—that's what led to that outcome!"
Money! All of this requires money!
Hughes wanted to ask: Is it worth spending so much for a dead man?
But this was how noble families operated. This was how wealthy mages behaved.
He couldn't really say much about it.
...
January 26th, Quarry, Main Hall.
Roy summoned the two captive apprentice mages, Bowen and Huffman, to gain a general understanding of the Arcane system.
Andov, Olinda, Damo, and others were also present.
Even Erlant came to participate in the discussion.
"Arcane Spells have been lengthy and obscure since the Low Magic Era. Unless engraved into one's soul or converted into equipment skills, they're nearly impossible to use easily in actual combat.
Most still rely on scroll-type consumables for casting."
"In ancient times, there was even a primitive era where Arcane Spells would vanish from memory after casting, requiring recitation and memorization anew.
The invention of Ritual Magic and the use of Spell Slots made it no different from Wizardry—both shrouded in mystery.
But later, as times progressed, gradual Disenchantment of Mana made it understandable and memorable...
Thus began the Middle Magic Era, focusing on the essence of Mana itself."
Roy and the others nodded subtly as they listened to the two apprentices' explanation.
Ancient mages were indeed indistinguishable from Wizards—the two titles were even used interchangeably.
But when some mages began emphasizing rational understanding and sought scientific explanations for Arcane and Mana, they completely abandoned faith in the Goddess of Magic and limitations like Spell Slots, charging forward in the field of Arcane.
That was their first Arcane Revolution.
Afterward, legendary mages ventured into the Star Sea like Great Wizards, waging wars across multiple planes and worlds. They encountered magical energy and technological systems, initiating Magitech research.
This became known as the second Arcane Revolution.
It not only transformed forms of power but also completely reshaped societal structures.
"In our Achini La, knowledge is money, spells are wealth...
Commoner mages must first assess their assets before considering which spells to use.
Conversely, one's spellcasting ability determines how much wealth they deserve to earn!
Of course, mundane money holds no meaning—I'm speaking of mage wealth..."
Through the two apprentices' explanation, everyone came to understand that no matter how talented or exceptional someone might be, without resources, the power they could wield would be severely limited.
Yet if a low-level Spellcaster came from wealth and had vast resources at their disposal, even legendary spells could be within reach!
Knowledge can be bought with money, and so can spells...
What Arcane truly emphasizes is the entire system—turning knowledge into practical value largely depends on productivity and industrial chains!
Their legendary Mages, even Archmages, controlled one world or Demiplane after another, commanding vast resources and production capabilities!
These revelations left Roy's apprentices utterly awestruck, like country bumpkins visiting the big city for the first time.
Roy tapped the armrest of his stone chair and instantly understood.
What's the point of learning magic without money?
Capitalist Mages.
That pretty much summed it up.
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