"Are you interested in taxes?"
"No."
That day, when Tang En was sweeping the books, Josiah came to the library again to chat with him.
"But you hold in your hand the Imperial Tax Regulations."
"Uh, I'm just flipping through this."
Josiah blinked and said, "Oh, but this book is just for show. It lists more than fifty types of taxes, but Rhine City has nearly a hundred!"
"I see. I think things like taxes should be discussed through a hearing or something..."
"A hearing?"
"Just select some taxpayers to discuss it, so it appears democratic..."
Josiah's eyes lit up. "Hey, democracy... that's a good word. Does it mean the people are free to make their own decisions?"
"Uh, this term has a lot of implications. I can't explain it all in a short time. You should try to figure it out on your own." Tang En looked inscrutable. Damn, you're being too deceptive... How can I answer you? I've always brought cheat sheets to my political and ideological exams since I was a kid...
"Well, I know what you mean. You'll understand it more deeply if you comprehend it yourself, right?"
"Yes." So, when it comes to chatting, you have to find smart people. When you can't continue, the other person will fill in the blanks on his own.
Qiao Xia didn't doubt it and said solemnly, "Tang, thank you. I really benefited a lot from talking to you. The other day you said you weren't from this school. I'm curious, what do you do? Your thoughts are so profound, even the teachers at the academy can't compare to them."
Uh, Tang En was stunned, his mind spinning: "I... I, I was sending someone to another place..."
Josiah frowned and thought: "Send people to another place... Captain? Coachman?"
"Coachman... Well, reading thousands of books and traveling thousands of miles is a good idea!" Tang En breathed a sigh of relief.
"Reading thousands of books and traveling thousands of miles... I've learned something new, Tang. You are really insightful." Josiah looked sincerely impressed.
"Haha, it's okay, it's okay... Then what do you do, a student?" Tang En laughed dryly and quickly changed the subject.
"Yeah, don't underestimate me, I'm still a junior magician."
"A magician?" Tang En's heart skipped a beat. "That's impressive! I'm actually quite curious about magic. But there don't seem to be many books on it here."
"The important magic books are all on the second floor, and usually only teachers can go in. I can go in, but I can't take you..." Josiah said embarrassedly.
"Oh, that's okay. I'm just curious, just tell me briefly." Tang En rarely got the chance to learn about magic, so naturally he didn't want to miss it.
Josiah: "That's no problem. You've given me a lot of advice these past few days, and I'm still thinking about how to repay you..."
After a pause, he continued, "There are magical elements around us at all times. And magicians..."
"Uh, wait, what are magical elements?"
"You've never heard of the Elements of Magic? Well, let me tell you from the beginning."
...
Josiah was undoubtedly a qualified teacher. After several hours of detailed explanation, Tang En finally had a preliminary understanding of the magic of the other world.
According to the otherworldly world, the air here contains a large amount of magical elements such as gold, wood, water, fire, and earth. If someone can sense this element, then congratulations, you have the potential to become a magician.
The next step is to use meditation to draw these magical elements into the body. When a certain amount of magical elements has gathered in the body, magic can be cast through specific spells and gestures.
To sum up, magic doesn't seem difficult to learn.
But first you have to know the current situation, that is, among ten thousand people, there are only about ten people who can sense magical elements, and the probability is almost one in a thousand.
Furthermore, after crossing the first threshold, one must be able to successfully draw the magical elements into the body. The probability of this happening is high, about one in two.
Generally speaking, among ten thousand people, only five can truly become high-level magicians.
Precisely because magicians are so rare, the five or six people selected, regardless of their noble or humble backgrounds, will have a bright future.
Any country or noble family would entertain them with the utmost sincerity.
If a high-level magician is willing to serve a faction and build a magic tower in its territory, then the faction will have an additional layer of strong protection for the duration of the magician's existence. It can be said that the blessing will definitely be passed down for generations.
Take Josiah, for example. She came from a minor noble family. Due to poor management, her family's decline was inevitable by her father's generation. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, her family's noble title would be revoked by the Empire within the next generation.
But ever since Josiah was proven to have the potential to be a magician and successfully became a junior water magician, the major families in Rhine City have extended olive branches to her, and her family's status has risen rapidly. Now she has become a rising star in the aristocratic circle of Rhine City.
The reason why magicians are so respected is, fundamentally, the powerful force of magic.
According to Josiah, if a great magician is given enough distance and time, he can destroy a cavalry brigade of 100 men with just a wave of his hand.
The Great Magician is certainly not the highest realm of magicians. In the other world, magicians are divided into 8 levels: magic apprentice, junior magician, intermediate magician, senior magician, great magician, magician, grand magician, and holy magician.
In addition to magic, Tang En also took the opportunity to learn about fighting spirit from Josiah.
Josiah's understanding of fighting spirit was not as systematic as her understanding of magic. She only knew that there were many warriors who practiced fighting spirit.
Fighting spirit is stimulated through constant physical exercise. If one has mastered it and reaches the Earth-level warrior level, one can draw on external forces and use them for one's own benefit.
The power of Dou Qi is also quite impressive, possessing an explosive force. Even a magician wouldn't dare underestimate it if it were at close range.
Like magic, fighting spirit is also divided into 8 levels: apprentice warrior, junior warrior, intermediate warrior, senior warrior, earth-level warrior, sky-level warrior, heaven-level warrior, and martial saint.
Finally, Josiah also compared the magician and the warrior.
Generally speaking, in the early stages, magicians of the same level have a great advantage over warriors.
When the magician reaches the intermediate level and can hold up a magic shield, the warrior's close-range threat is weakened, and this advantage becomes even greater.
Only after reaching a high level can a warrior use the long-range attack of releasing his fighting spirit. A high-level magician of the same level can already perform the flight spell. After reaching a certain altitude, a warrior is nothing more than a target.
The only time a warrior can truly pose a threat to a magician is when he reaches the Aerial Warrior realm. Warriors at this level can stand in the air, and in a fight with the Magic Society, they won't be at a significant disadvantage.
Generally speaking, the magician's advantage is more obvious.
Of course, the magician must remember one thing, which is that it is best not to let the warrior get close to him.
...
After listening to Josiah's story, Tang En felt a chill in his heart.
The various killing techniques he has learned now are all aimed at ordinary people. He doesn't know whether these killing techniques will still be effective when facing warriors and magicians.
Even if it worked, it would probably be discounted... So, how could he kill Sethman? Tang En fell into deep thought.
"Hi, Josiah, so you're here. It was so hard for me to find you." A well-dressed and handsome young man walked to the entrance of the library.
"Hi, Vincent." Compared to Vincent's enthusiasm, Josiah seemed a little indifferent.
"Hey, who is this?" Vincent asked with a smile as he saw Tang En beside Josiah.
"Tang En," although it was easy to tell that the smile was fake, Tang En still responded politely for the sake of hitchhiking.
"Oh, hello, Tang En. My name is Dirk Vincent, just call me Vincent."
Josiah: "Vincent, what do you want to talk to me about?"
"Nothing, I just came to invite you to lunch..."
"Uh, you guys chat first. I have something else to do, so I won't disturb you anymore." Tang En nodded to the two of them and left the library.
Tang En did not rush to leave the academy. He found a secluded stone bench to sit down, secretly calling out to the killer system in his heart.
Inside, the once empty hall was now lined with rows of antique bookshelves. The old butler was reclining on a rattan couch, wearing a pair of reading glasses and concentrating on a book. A small red clay teapot beside him emitted a faint aroma of tea.
Seeing Tang En come in, the old butler put the book on the wooden table next to him, picked up the teapot and took a sip of tea.
Just a glance, "The Collection of Poems"...
Tang En was immediately confused. He had no way of connecting the old butler who was proficient in killing techniques with the poet.
But he didn't have time to think about these questions now, and asked anxiously: "Old housekeeper, did you hear what Josiah said just now?"
"I heard it, what's wrong?"
"What's wrong?" Tang En frowned and said, "Isn't it obvious? The power of magic and fighting spirit is too strong. Even if I master all the killing techniques, it won't work. You can't ask me to use a dagger to stab a wizard holding up a shield..."
The old butler slowly put down the teapot and said, "I thought it was just some other problem. You underestimate the system. Once you upgrade, everything will become clear."
"Really? Could it be that I have this kind of power after upgrading? Uh, it can't be internal energy... Nine Yang Divine Art? Nine Yin Manual? Anyway, as long as it's not the Sunflower Manual, anything is fine. I'm not greedy..."
The old housekeeper's eyes twitched: "You've read too many YY novels. When you have time, read more poetry collections to cultivate your character."
"...Uh, speaking of so many books, can you finish reading them all?" Tang En looked at the rows of bookshelves, which were the result of his hard work over the past few days.
The old butler said calmly, "If you mean the text, I've already read it."
"Shocked!" Tang En was startled and rolled his eyes instantly. "You're just bragging. I haven't seen you turn a page in a poetry collection for ages. How can you finish reading so many books?"
"Every time a book is entered into the system, the text inside will be transmitted to me immediately. But it's just words. You have to know that some texts not only describe things, but also contain deeper meanings that need to be savored carefully."
"Like a collection of poems?"
"Right. Okay, go out and find a way to complete the task, and don't disturb me while I'm reading."
After saying that, the old butler waved his hand and kicked Tang En out of the system.