Chapter 105: I Am a Summoner

Chapter 105: I Am a Summoner

While Li Wei was checking tasks related to the Kowada Mine on the third floor of the Mage Tower,

the magical steward informed him of certain matters.

"Magister Li Wei, you have now passed the certification for full mage status and are entitled to all associated privileges."

"After deducting benefits already claimed, you still have monthly welfare worth four contributions remaining."

Li Wei's eyes widened in surprise. "That much?"

The magical steward ignored his astonishment.

Snapping back to reality, Li Wei immediately claimed his rewards.

Staring at the four contribution points now recorded behind his magical insignia, he felt a warm glow inside.

He hadn’t expected full mages to receive five contributions every month.

If only he’d known earlier, he should’ve been certified in May.

What a wasted month!

Li Wei shook his head, feeling as though he'd missed out on a fortune.

Then another thought struck him. "By the way, how much is the combat participation benefit for full mages?"

"The standard daily allocation is three contribution points," replied the steward.

Li Wei’s lips twitched. Rounded up, he really had missed out on a fortune this time!

No wonder Gu Ze had been so eager to become a full mage.

Now he understood why.

Li Wei fell silent.

He didn’t want to calculate just how many benefits he’d unknowingly forfeited.

Doing so might drive him to despair.

He muttered inwardly, *Why didn’t Teacher Gu Ze tell me about this sooner?*

Gu Ze: "...”

Of course, because Gu Ze assumed he already knew.

Wasn’t this common knowledge among every apprentice mage?

Li Wei quickly began studying the Mage Tower’s rules and regulations, determined not to miss any more advantages.

In the afternoon, Li Wei left the Mage Tower.

After purchasing some outdoor supplies, he set off toward the Kowada Mine with Shadow Servant at his side.

The journey to Kowada Mine was long.

And if he intended to search for mithril ore, he might need to stay several extra days.

He had already prepared himself for life in the wild.

After walking ten kilometers, he began regretting not renting a horse.

"Though... I probably don’t even know how to ride one."

After a moment of internal debate, he gave up thinking and simply said, "Shadow Servant, carry me."

Shadow Servant hesitated briefly—then darted into the woods.

"Roar!"

A brown bear burst from the trees, charging straight at Li Wei.

The sudden attack caught him off guard.

Just as the beast neared, it abruptly halted, lowered its body, and flashed a fawning expression.

Li Wei paused, uncertain. "Shadow Servant?"

The bear nodded repeatedly.

Li Wei chuckled. "Haha, not bad at all."

He climbed onto the bear’s back, and Shadow Servant guided the creature forward, carrying him toward the Kowada Mine.

Along the way, passersby stared in disbelief.

"Riding a bear? Are you a summoner?" a female warrior asked curiously.

Li Wei was fully cloaked in invisibility, his face shaped by illusion magic.

He glanced at the warrior woman and smiled. "Indeed. I am a summoner."

In Maple City, summoners were even rarer than mages.

Prompted by the traveler’s remark, Li Wei decided to maintain the guise of a summoner.

Shadow Servant could transform into various summoned beasts.

The thought made him grin mischievously.

Traveling on the bear’s back was far easier.

Still, the brown bear currently possessed by Shadow Servant was merely an ordinary wild animal.

Li Wei planned to find a better opportunity to possess a magical beast—something more fitting for a true summoner.

Shadow Servant was already second-tier intermediate, capable of possessing any magical beast below that rank.

By the time they reached Kowada Mine, it was past five in the afternoon.

The sun dipped low, painting the sky in crimson streaks, bathing half the mine in red light.

The appearance of iron-eating ants had not halted mining operations.

Work continued as usual, except for the pits near the ant infestation, which had been sealed off.

When Li Wei arrived, orc miners were hauling the final batch of ore to the surface.

Kowada’s mining techniques were primitive—entirely dependent on manual labor.

Standing atop a hill, Li Wei watched the miners below, scurrying like black ants between the tunnels and storage sheds.

"Hello, are you the professional here to eliminate the iron-eating ants?"

A few patrolling soldiers noticed Li Wei riding a bear and instantly recognized he was no ordinary man. The squad leader approached cautiously.

Li Wei nodded. "Yes. Where are the iron-eating ants?"

The patrol leader pointed to the other side of the mountain. "They’ve been seen over there. You’ll see it when you arrive. A rest camp has already been set up for professionals."

"Please note that Kowada Mine is currently under military control. Avoid entering unauthorized areas—it may cause unnecessary trouble."

"Mm, I understand. Thank you," Li Wei said.

The patrol captain quickly replied, "No need to thank me, honored practitioner. Please take care on your way."

The Shadow Attendant guided the brown bear carrying Li Wei toward the mountains.

After crossing the ridge, Li Wei spotted a newly cleared mine halfway up the slope.

Hardly any mining slaves could be seen here—only practitioners filled the site,

guarded by soldiers all around.

Li Wei arrived at the rest camp midway up the mountain.

The stationed guards glanced at him briefly but did not stop him, allowing him passage into the camp.

"Ahaha, Brade, what did you find today?"

"Nothing. Don’t even ask—almost got eaten by iron-eating ants."

"Magus Guze, cooperation was a pleasure. Hope we work together again tomorrow."

"Oh? Who’s that riding the bear? Is it his pet?"

"Doesn’t look like it. Seems more like a wild beast."

...

Guze and Rota walked side by side toward the rest camp.

Hearing the murmurs, Guze turned his head to look.

His expression shifted in surprise. "A summoner?"

Rota followed his gaze. "Summoners are indeed rare around Maple City."

"This doesn’t seem like an ordinary one. Most summoners couldn’t control a wild bear. Could he be a druid?" Rota speculated.

Guze shook his head. "Druids rarely leave the Elven Empire. Probably not."

"I’ve heard there are extraordinary beings in the Western Desert called Beast Tamers who can subdue and command wild animals," Rota said.

Li Wei had also noticed Guze and Rota.

He didn’t approach them, instead finding an empty corner of the camp to rest.

The so-called rest camp was merely a flat clearing with no fence, a bonfire burning at its center.

People had pitched tents near the flames or simply lain down where they stood.

One could roast meat or boil water over the fire—

enough to meet the most basic needs of rest.

The bear lay down. Li Wei spread a blanket on the ground, sat, and leaned back against the creature’s warm bulk.

Riding a bear for half a day had left him weary.

Practicing the Stone Breath Technique had brought some results—his body was noticeably stronger.

Yet compared to true transcendents, he remained little more than a healthy commoner.

Back in the mage tower, rarely stepping outside,

he’d never given the Stone Breath much thought—just practiced it idly when he remembered.

Now, on this journey, he began to appreciate its value. He finally understood how crucial stamina was, even for mages.

Thud!

A warrior slammed a wild boar onto the ground.

"Come on, everyone! Meat’s on me tonight."

(End of Chapter)