Chapter 133: Classic Free Strategy

Chapter 133: The Classic Free Routine

Laughter rippled through the crowd, yet all understood the profound importance of the *Bountiful Harvest Barrier* spell.

Though mages rarely worried about food, for a city lord, such magic was invaluable.

It solved the problem of sustenance.

With ample grain, armies could expand, forces strengthen, military might surge—

and with that, dominion could stretch ever wider.

Kirah, Lord of Feihua City, felt his heart stir at the thought.

He began calculating how to obtain this spell.

He wasn’t a mage himself, but he employed a corps of mage instructors.

Yet the casting threshold was high—too high, likely beyond what his instructors could master.

As Comus had said, the *Bountiful Harvest Barrier* was classified as a third-tier spell, but its casting difficulty ranked mid-level fourth tier.

This meant only a third-tier mage capable of wielding fourth-tier spells could possibly cast it.

In essence, it was nearly a fourth-tier spell!

After some thought, Kirah sighed and let go. The barrier was simply too high—he couldn’t reach it.

Others continued questioning Comus about the spell, and he answered each with precision.

The scene resembled nothing so much as a thesis defense.

Lewin listened with rapt fascination.

The discussions on magical principles and model modifications opened new horizons in his mind,

filling him with sudden clarity.

"So that's how it works!"

A spark ignited within him—new ideas and directions for advancing the *Fireball Spell* surged forth.

Before he knew it, morning had passed.

Lewin still savored the echoes of the "thesis defense."

Seeing this, Guze remarked, "If you'd like to keep listening, you can join again this afternoon."

"The main hall will become a marketplace, but the exchange forum will continue in the side chamber."

Lewin nodded. "I understand."

At noon, the Mage Hall laid out a feast prepared by the Mage Association—delicacies even mages seldom indulged in.

Rare magical fruits, enchanted plants, arcane herbs, and beastmeat transformed into exquisite magical dishes.

They’d even hired a professional gourmet chef.

Gourmet chefs were rare. Most dismissed them as mere eaters.

But true gourmets were master cooks—artists whose creations held mystical power.

After tasting one dish, Lewin felt a cool ripple across his scalp.

Surprised, he exclaimed, "This restores mana?"

Guze nodded. "Indeed. And it tastes rather good, too."

"Pity—only one serving per person," Lewin lamented.

In the afternoon, the grand hall transformed into a bustling market.

Discussions on magical theory moved to the side chambers.

Everyone displayed their treasures, placing wooden signs on tables listing desired items.

Not just sales—alchemists, potion masters, and blacksmiths set up stalls, accepting commissions.

Rare, extraordinary professions gathered here, creating an atmosphere of vibrant energy.

"Branches of the Wisdom Oak—premium material for staves! Don’t miss out!"

"High-purity elemental crystals! Essential for enhancing elemental perception—don’t hesitate!"

"Commissioning magical gear forging and artifact crafting—materials provided by client."

"Wanted: one third-tier drake-core. Price negotiable."

"Free enchanting! A loss-leading gift to loyal and new customers!"

Shouts echoed everywhere. Lewin was taken aback.

Who knew mages could be as loud as street vendors?

Glancing around, he realized most of the shouting came from mage attendants.

The mages themselves sat calmly behind their tables, sipping tea, utterly serene.

Only those without attendants had to hawk their wares themselves.

"Free enchanting?"

Hearing the word *free*, Lewin hurried over.

The young vendor smiled warmly. "I’m a first-tier enchanter. Today, I offer free enchantments to all."

"Enchanting is free, of course—but materials cost extra. Please understand."

"After all, enchanting fees are usually quite steep."

"No need to bring your own materials—I have everything here."

Lewin’s brow lifted. This one knew marketing well.

The 'free' enchanting was merely bait—the real profit lay in the material costs.

By requiring clients to use his supplies, he skimmed margins from every transaction.

Still, many lined up for his services.

"First-tier Flame Reinforcement Enchantment—increases fire spell power by ten percent."

Within minutes, the youth completed the work and handed over the staff.

The customer inspected it, nodded in satisfaction, paid, and walked away.

Seeing this, Levi felt a slight stir in his heart.

He asked, "Is there an enchantment that can reduce mana consumption?"

Hearing this, the young man replied, "Of course, a first-tier mana reduction enchantment. Usually the service fee is ten gold coins, but today it is free. You only need to pay fifteen gold coins for the material cost."

When Levi heard this, he realized it was truly not cheap.

He took off the invisibility cloak, handed it to the young man, and said, "Enchant it for me."

He casually took out fifteen gold coins and placed them on the table.

Seeing this, the young man smiled faintly, "No problem!"

A few minutes later, a ring of light blue patterns appeared inside the invisibility cloak.

The young man said, "First-tier mana reduction enchantment, reduces mana consumption by ten percent."

Levi heard this and thought it was reasonable enough.

"Take care, and welcome back next time."

The business at the enchantment stall was quite bustling, with people constantly seeking the young man's help for enchantments.

Levi wandered through the trading venue and ran into Gu Ze.

Gu Ze glanced at the patterns inside the invisibility cloak and asked, "You got an enchantment?"

"Yes, it cost fifteen gold coins, quite expensive," Levi said.

Gu Ze replied, "It is alright, a bit cheaper than usual."

"However, you must note that enchantments are not permanent buffs. Excellent enchantments can last for several years or even over a decade, while poor ones only last for a few months or even just a dozen days."

"The latter is complete fraud."

Levi asked in surprise, "Could I have been tricked?"

He lifted his robe and examined it carefully.

Gu Ze shook his head and said, "Probably not, he would not dare cheat people at the mage exchange meet."

"Judging by the magical patterns, this enchanter's craftsmanship is actually quite good; it should last for over a year."

Spending fifteen gold coins to buy a buff that lasts for a year.

Levi felt it was somewhat of a loss.

If only he had asked clearly before getting the enchantment.

He had thought enchantments were permanent, never expecting them to have a time limit.

Clang, clang!

A noise came from a nearby stall, and Levi turned his head to look.

"Forging Master, undertaking magical equipment forging. Materials must be prepared by yourself, forging service fee applies."

Levi thought of the Ant King's carapace and walked toward the Forging Master's stall.

The Forging Master possessed a separate small room, far more luxurious than the single tables used by others.

The Forging Master, who was hammering and shaping metal, asked without even raising his head, "What is the matter?"

Levi looked around; Gu Ze had already walked away.

He took out the Ant King's carapace and asked, "What kind of magical equipment is this suitable for forging into?"

The Forging Master swept a glance over it, reached out to pinch it, and said, "Armor, shields."

"If you are using it yourself, I suggest forging mana-driven armor."

"Mana-driven armor?" Levi revealed a look of doubt.

(End of chapter)