Chapter 75: Magic Net Codex

Chapter 75: The Codex of the Arcane Weave

Li Wei left the city wall and walked toward the mage tower.

The bustling streets stirred in him a feeling of long-lost reunion.

In Hansha City, war had emptied the roads—few dared to walk, hiding instead within their homes.

"Peaceful days… or merely others bearing the weight for us," Li Wei murmured softly.

"Mr. Li Wei?"

Jimi spotted him and called out in delighted surprise.

"You're back? Has the war ended?" he asked eagerly.

Li Wei shook his head. "Not yet. I’ve simply returned early due to special circumstances."

Jimi froze. "Then… will you leave again?"

"I probably won’t," Li Wei replied.

Otz’s message had been clear—stay put in Maple City, don’t wander off.

Otherwise, he’d be forced to remain behind with Lanya and the others.

Truthfully, Li Wei didn’t wish to leave either.

He wanted solitude, silence—to process all that had happened in these past two weeks.

Hearing Li Wei wouldn’t depart, Jimi brightened. "Mr. Li Wei’s safe return will surely please Director Guss immensely!"

"For days after you left, he waited anxiously, hoping you'd come back unharmed."

Li Wei smiled. "Then thank Director Guss for me."

"And tell him I’ll deliver this month’s manuscript on schedule—no need for concern."

Jimi grinned. "That’s wonderful news indeed."

Li Wei took out fifty-four silver coins and handed them to Jimi. "Return these to Director Guss. The extra payment he gave me last time—I borrowed it. Please pass along my thanks."

"Mr. Li Wei says… thank you…"

Jimi stood before Guss, who stared at the coin pouch on the desk, stunned into silence.

He hadn’t expected Li Wei to remember such a small thing.

Those fifty-four silvers were money he’d paid from his own pocket—never expecting repayment.

Guss carefully tucked the pouch away like a treasured relic.

It wasn’t just fifty-four coins—it was the bond between a mage and a man.

Profoundly meaningful.

Smiling at Jimi, Guss asked, "Didn’t you ask if Mr. Li Wei has time? We should welcome him back properly."

"I did," Jimi answered. "He said he just returned and is weary—wants to rest for a few days."

"Very well. Let’s not disturb him these next days. We’ll invite him to dinner later."

Li Wei returned to the mage tower. Delilith and the others were still in class.

Since becoming apprentices, Delilith, Land, and Neil had grown far busier.

Now capable of practicing spells, they devoted more hours each day to training.

Back in his room, Li Wei’s magical badge trembled.

He pulled it out—the voice of the magic steward echoed from within.

Upon returning to the tower, the badge had reconnected with the steward.

"Apprentice Li Wei, you have a new message:"

"Mission completed: Escorting the city lord—awarded 500 merits."

"Significant contribution during combat—rewarded 100 merits."

"Merits may be used at Maple City’s quartermaster. Please utilize them promptly."

"After this war concludes, the merit exchange system will close. Next access will depend on future activation."

"If unused, merits may be converted into tower contributions—only valid during active merit periods."

"You have returned to the tower. Combat contribution disbursement terminated."

Li Wei was surprised—such generous rewards for a single escort mission.

He flipped the badge over, checking the number engraved on its back—119.

The merit count on his magical card still read 207. He’d need to synchronize it at the quartermaster to receive the full 500.

After half a month of hardship, he’d earned less than what a single ride in the city lord’s carriage had granted.

Such an absurd outcome left him momentarily dazed.

"Ah, well. Regardless, at least I’ve secured the Codex of the Arcane Weave."

Without delay, Li Wei left the tower and headed for Maple City’s quartermaster.

"Exchange merits? One moment, let me check," said the clerk.

A short while later, she returned. "Apologies for the wait."

"Well? Can it be done?" Li Wei asked.

"Yes, but after exchange, it will take time for the item to arrive in Maple City."

"Please leave your address—we’ll arrange delivery once it arrives."

"Understood. Thank you for the trouble."

Li Wei exchanged his merits for a copy of the Codex of the Arcane Weave and provided his address.

Back at the tower, he converted all remaining merits into contributions.

207 merits became 82.8 contributions.

With his current total now 201.8, he finally had enough to purchase the Crystal Meditation Technique.

But there was a catch—the technique required first-rank mage status.

As merely an apprentice, he lacked eligibility.

Revealing his true strength and upgrading his rank would solve the issue.

Yet exposure would bring further complications.

Li Wei drew out the scroll of magical script.

Half a month had passed—the number of items listed had dwindled significantly.

This magical marketplace was shared among multiple supernatural factions.

Mages could buy what they needed; other practitioners could do the same.

Especially popular were the discounted potions and enchanted gear.

Levi rummaged through the items for a moment and discovered that the Wizard Tower's Crystal Meditation Method was among them.

The Crystal Meditation Method, however, came with no discount.

"Hmm? The Wizard Association has the Crystal Meditation Method too?"

More importantly, the Wizard Association imposed no restrictions on purchase eligibility.

In the past, contributions to the Wizard Tower could only be used within the tower itself and could not be exchanged for gold coins.

Levi would have been entirely helpless even upon seeing the Wizard Association selling the Crystal Meditation Method.

Now, however, it just so happened that multiple factions were sharing the battlefield shop.

The contributions from the Wizard Tower could thus be used at an equivalent value within the Wizard Association.

A sudden thought stirred in Levi's heart.

He pondered for a moment, then grabbed his things and hurried toward the Wizard Association.

"Hello, I would like to purchase a copy of the Crystal Meditation Method."

"Certainly, please wait a moment."

Before long, a young lady from the Wizard Association brought out a copy of the Crystal Meditation Method and handed it to him.

"This purchase deducts 200 contribution points, leaving you with a balance of 1.8 contribution points. We look forward to your next visit."

The young girl, dressed in a wizard apprentice's robe, watched Levi leave through the main gates of the Wizard Association.

"Such a young apprentice wizard!"

Levi walked out of the Wizard Association, his heart swelling with joy.

"I have finally obtained the Crystal Meditation Method."

"In a few days, the Weave Codex will also be in my hands. This can truly be considered a bountiful harvest."

"It is just that Lanya and the others..."

Levi let out a soft sigh.

Regaining his composure, a look of resolve hardened in his eyes.

"Only by possessing sufficient strength can one master their own destiny!"

With firm steps, Levi made his way back to the Wizard Tower.

Returning to his study, he retrieved the box and opened it, revealing a blue polyhedral crystal within.

It bore a slight resemblance to a Nightmare Core, differing only in color.

Inside the box lay the instructions for using the crystal.

Levi cast a brief glance over them before setting them aside.

He had long since familiarized himself with the Crystal Meditation Method and knew exactly how to use it.

Pressing the crystal against his forehead, he channeled his mental strength to activate it.

The information stored within the crystal flooded into his mind.

(End of Chapter)