Chapter 88: Magic Monopoly |
“You want magic skill books? I can give you those.”
As he spoke, the old principal took out two magic skill books.
“First Ring Magic: Wind Blade, and Two-Ring Magic: Wind Wall.”
“Wind-element magic. It suits your current self quite well.”
However, just as Vivian prepared to pick up the skill books, the old principal raised a hand to stop her.
“But before learning these two spells, there are some things you need to understand.”
“What things?”
“Do you know what systemized magic is?”
Vivian shook her head blankly.
“These two wind-element magic books I’m giving you are part of a complete wind-element magic system.”
“And then?” Vivian asked.
“A complete magic system includes spells ranging from First Ring all the way to Ninth Ring. And this type of magic has a particular characteristic. For example, if you want to learn the Two-Ring spell Wind Wall right now, then you must first learn Wind Blade.”
“I see now.” Hearing the old principal’s explanation, Jiang Chen—sitting in front of his computer—suddenly understood.
“So this is basically prerequisite skills from other games.”
As he spoke, Jiang Chen casually picked up a bag of potato chips beside the table, tore it open, and stuffed one into his mouth. “Wait....”
Jiang Chen suddenly realized something.
“In other games, this type of skill tree is easy because the prerequisite skills are already in the skill menu, so you can just freely assign points.”
“But this game doesn’t work that way!”
“I need to clarify things first.”
Pressing the voice key—
“Principal, do you have the later spells for this wind-element magic system?”
The old principal shook his head. “But I know where they are.”
“However, if you want to obtain the later spells, you’ll need to sign a contract with them and become one of their people. Otherwise, you’ll never obtain the remaining spells.”
Hearing the principal’s explanation, Jiang Chen inwardly exclaimed that he had guessed correctly.
“I knew there was a catch. Good thing I asked first.”
Just as Jiang Chen was thinking this, the old principal’s voice rang out again.
“Many complete magic systems are tightly controlled by great families.”
“They deliberately release the first half of these spells, but if you want the latter half, your only choice is to join them.”
“This is also one of the methods these families use to recruit talented people.”
Hearing the old principal’s explanation, Jiang Chen was somewhat dumbfounded.
“Recruit talented people? This is straight-up monopoly.”
“Damn, gotta admit these magic world monopolies really know how to play dirty.”
Still, Jiang Chen also had to admit this method was extremely effective.
“Complete magic systems are definitely far stronger than random scattered spells.”
“And this is also the greatest difference between major families and commoners without family backgrounds.”
“Even if some commoners become Mages through talent and hard work, the monopoly over skills means their strength can never compare to that of the nobles.”
“And if they want to change their fate, the only option is to sign a contract selling themselves to one of those families.”
“And after joining, if they have talent, the family will definitely use political marriages to tie them down. If they don’t have talent, they’ll most likely become servants or something similar.”
“Brilliant. What a strategy.”
Even Jiang Chen could not help praising it.
However, Jiang Chen’s analysis sounded completely different in Vivian’s ears.
All she felt was the deep malice of these families.
Vivian was even certain that if it were not for her talent, the old principal would never have told her any of this information.
Thinking back to her hometown academy, many children who grew up in the countryside just like her once dreamed of relying on their talent to rise above others.
Little did they know that path had long since been blocked off.
They simply never knew.
This was way too terrifying....
“So, have you decided? Will you choose these two magic books?” Just as Vivian was still thinking, the old principal’s voice rang out.
As he spoke, the old principal added another sentence. “Of course, you don’t need to worry too much. I can guarantee that if you join this family, you’ll definitely receive focused cultivation.”
Hearing the old principal’s words, not only Jiang Chen, but even Vivian realized something was wrong.
“Well well, old man, so you’re trying to recruit me?” Vivian’s voice rang out.
“But you’re overthinking things. There’s no way I’ll agree.”
“Don’t you want to learn systemized magic?” the old principal asked.
“What kind of trash is that? I’m honestly not interested.”
Jiang Chen rejected him decisively.
This old man had already sabotaged his quest rewards down to the minimum level, and now he thought a mere magic system was enough to make him sell himself?
He looked like such an adult, yet he was still this naive.
The systemized magic indeed looked powerful.
But his Class Skills were not weak either.
Perhaps for other people, systemized magic was necessary to maximize their combat power.
But Jiang Chen was different.
As long as he built around his Class Skills properly, he could still create effective combinations.
And this so-called superiority of systemized magic—
That was merely an NPC perspective.
For players, mixed builds were often more effective than full sets.
Thinking this, Jiang Chen decisively interrupted the old principal, who was still preparing to persuade him further.
“Enough already. Stop talking about all this useless nonsense.”
“Bring out something actually useful. I won’t overcharge you either—2000 Gold Coins, and I’ll handle this matter for you within a year.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?” The old principal still wanted to try persuading Vivian.
“No need to reconsider. I just want the Gold Coins.”
Seeing Vivian’s resolute attitude, the old principal realized things were hopeless and sighed regretfully.
“In that case, I won’t persuade you anymore.”
“But if you regret it later, you can come find me.”
......
Ignoring the old principal’s words, Jiang Chen took the Gold Coins and left together with Lilith.
As for the old principal’s talk about regret, Jiang Chen completely dismissed it.
Regret?
What a joke.
I’m a freaking player. How could I regret things in front of an NPC? Are you kidding me?
The moment they stepped out of the principal’s office, Vivian and Lilith saw a familiar crow standing on the ground.
It was Mister Black.
“Mister Black, why are you here?” Lilith asked curiously upon seeing him.
“Caw caw... because you two were called into the principal’s office, your instructor specifically sent me to guide you to the dormitories.”
As he spoke, Mister Black flapped his wings and landed on Lilith’s shoulder.
“Thank you, Mister Black.”
After thanking him, Lilith followed Mister Black’s guidance and headed toward the dormitory area.
However, unlike before, both Vivian and Lilith remained silent the entire way.
Vivian was unable to speak because Lord Evil God was controlling her body, but even if she could speak, she did not feel like talking right now.
Lilith was the same.
Although Lilith did not understand this matter as thoroughly as Jiang Chen did, even her partial understanding had already dealt a tremendous shock to her worldview.
At this moment, Lilith finally realized that those lofty, powerful Mages were not nearly as glamorous as they appeared on the surface.