Chapter 49: Invisibility Cloak

Chapter 49: The Cloak of Invisibility

Li Wei returned to his room and sat before the desk, lost in thought.

Events had taken an unexpected turn.

His original plans were now thrown into disarray.

“There’s no time left to learn an escape spell—better find something to save my life.”

Knock, knock, knock!

A knock at the door. Li Wei rose and opened it.

A magical servant handed him a box, then departed silently.

Li Wei accepted the box, closed the door behind him.

Back at the desk, he lifted the lid. Inside lay five small red vials of minor healing potion, and five small blue vials of minor mana restoration.

This was the resource package for combat participants.

A message arrived from the head mage steward—the reverse side of his magical badge shimmered with engraved script:

“Apprentice mages receive one contribution point per day during active service. Outstanding performance may earn additional points. Distribution begins tomorrow.”

“The wartime special supply shop has opened. The Mage Association and Adventurer Guild have enabled shared access. Contribution points may be used to redeem any item within.”

“The item exchange list has been delivered. Please check your records.”

Li Wei reached beneath the box and pulled out a scroll inscribed with glowing runes.

Unrolling it, the magical script flickered and rearranged itself.

Staring at the parchment in his hands, Li Wei couldn’t help but marvel at the extravagance.

Magical rune scrolls were typically reserved only for vital messages or sacred records.

Each scroll cost several gold coins; no one would waste such luxury on trivial matters.

Even Elder Alan winced when he saw the magical servants hauling rune scrolls from the vault.

“Master Martin,” he said, “is it really necessary to use these so lavishly?”

Martin smiled. “We’ve stockpiled these scrolls for years—they’re nearly expired. Better to clear them out now. We’ll just bill the Mage Association and Adventurer Guild later.”

“And those near-expiry potions and magic items? Sell them at a discount. Clear the shelves while we can.”

Marina stepped in, adding, “The Mage Association and Adventurer Guild are dumping plenty of rare goods too. Seems they’re all clearing inventory. Everyone wants to take a bite out of Markeil Kingdom while the iron is hot.”

Li Wei studied the rune scroll, scanning for what he needed.

No time to learn an escape spell—his best bet was a life-saving magical artifact.

After careful searching, he settled on one item suited perfectly to his needs.

“Invisibility Cloak (first-tier magical artifact). Upon activation, the cloak mimics surrounding colors, rendering the wearer invisible through environmental camouflage. Wartime discounted price: thirty contribution points (originally forty).”

Having made his choice, Li Wei set off that very night for the Spark Literary Society.

Tomorrow was payday—but at dawn, he would already be leaving Maple City. No time then to collect his earnings.

Better to claim it a day early.

When he arrived, Jimmy was just about to leave.

Unable to decide alone, Jimmy fetched Director Guss.

Upon hearing Li Wei was departing for war against the beastmen in service of Markeil Kingdom, Guss immediately approved.

“No problem. Jimmy, ask Shanshan to stay late and calculate Master Li Wei’s payment before you go.”

“Yes, sir.”

Half an hour passed before Jimmy returned with the ledger.

“Director, here’s this month’s payment for *Dragon Knight*.”

Guss glanced over it. “Bring fourteen gold coins.”

Li Wei stole a glance—the April payment totaled just over thirteen thousand, not quite fourteen.

As Jimmy went to retrieve the coins, Guss said, “Compared to last month’s explosive sales, this month has stabilized. Likely to remain steady for some time.”

“This doesn’t even include profits from our partnership with the Treasure Basin Merchant Guild. Those figures won’t be known until summer ends and their caravans return.”

Li Wei nodded, acknowledging the information.

Soon, Jimmy returned with the coins. Guss handed the pouch to Li Wei.

“Master Li Wei, stay safe. Come back alive.”

Li Wei took the pouch with a smile. “Thank you for your concern, Director Guss. I will return safely.”

“I might be delayed sending next month’s manuscript to Jimmy.”

Guss waved a hand. “Don’t worry about that, Master Li Wei. We have enough manuscripts in reserve to sustain serialization for another two months.”

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

Li Wei bid farewell and headed straight for the third floor of the Mage Tower—the treasury.

He spent every last coin and contribution point he owned, claiming the Invisibility Cloak in exchange.

Back in his room, he donned the cloak, draping the gray fabric over his entire body.

Standing before the full-length mirror, he channeled mana into the artifact.

In the reflection, his form began to fade—slowly, steadily—until only his face remained suspended in midair, the rest of his body vanished.

Pulling the hood down, even his face dissolved into thin air.

He moved cautiously. Stillness granted perfect concealment; motion caused slight lag in light refraction, increasing risk of exposure.

Mana consumption was manageable—easily sustainable for dozens of hours.

The inner lining held large pockets, capable of storing numerous items.

Even his short staff fit snugly within one hidden compartment.

Li Wei placed everything he intended to bring into the cloak’s secret pockets.

After bathing, he lay upon the bed, sleeping deeply, conserving strength.

“Has Master Luota fallen asleep yet?”

Suddenly, it occurred to him.

If he could obtain Luota’s chained fireball technique before departure, that would be ideal.

Without hesitation, he activated the Great Dreamwalking Art.

His consciousness slipped into the dream world. The mist within the room had vanished.

Though the gray fog was gone, the space retained a hazy quality—perhaps the true distinction between dream and reality.

He walked to the door, pushed it open.

Beyond was no longer endless darkness, but dream-fog—a pale, drifting haze enveloping all.

Visibility stretched only ten meters.

Precisely the reach of his projected spirit sense.

Ten meters away, the mist swirled in chaos, concealing who knew what within its depths.

"Why does tonight's dream feel different?" Li Wei wondered inwardly.

Following the path beneath his feet, he finally saw Rotha’s dreamscape.

Rotha walked alone through a dense jungle, seemingly lost.

At the jungle’s edge lay the mist—Li Wei stepped out from it, entering the forest of Rotha’s dream.

The moment Li Wei appeared, Rotha seemed to sense something.

He whirled around abruptly, staring at Li Wei with terror in his eyes.

"Orc! Die!"

Rotha raised his staff and launched an attack.

Hearing the cry, Li Wei looked startled.

Glancing down, he found his body had somehow transformed—covered in thick fur, now that of a beastman.

"Chain Small Fireballs!"

From Rotha’s staff shot four or five fireballs in rapid succession.

Li Wei’s expression turned to shock.

(End of Chapter)