Chapter 245: A Generous Gift

Chapter 245: Chapter 245: A Generous Gift

After two days of searching, Owington finally found leads on Dragon Spine Grass Spores, Starlight Grass, and Dew of Dawn.

Dragon Spine Grass Spores were a material used to make Strong Exorcism Powder. Mercenary Corps and Warriors often used it when exploring unknown regions, as ordinary Demon Beasts couldn’t stand its smell.

Because it was produced in the Akutas Kingdom, it was particularly expensive, costing 1 Gold Coin per pound.

Owington wanted to buy ten pounds but was told he would have to wait two months.

Starlight Grass was a high-quality fodder commonly used on ranches. It was quite abundant on the market and not too expensive, costing only 10 Silver Coins per pound.

However, raising a Nebula Dog had to be done in steps, so buying it in advance would be useless. Duane didn’t have his Male Servant purchase any.

As for Dew of Dawn, it was created by extracting Level 5 Water Demon Beast Marrow and mixing it with Water Soul Crystal Stone Powder and several other special materials. The production cost was not low.

Furthermore, it could help an Earth Tier Warrior strengthen their heart, so each bottle sold for as much as 400 Gold Coins!

Considering the scarcity of the supply, Duane bought a bottle and stored it in the space of his Void Eye.

「Time passed quickly, and soon it was the end of June.」

During this time, Duane raised his Skill Level with the four new Magic spells he had acquired to the Skilled Level.

In addition, his production Skill Level for creating Spell Scrolls of Clear Wind Technique, Magic Shield, and Flame Technique also reached the Skilled Level.

Spell Scrolls for Level 1 Magic sold for about 5 Silver Coins each, which was very cheap.

Duane looked down on such a paltry sum and planned to toss them into the warehouse as supplies for his Territory.

It was worth mentioning the Magic, Solidification Technique.

It was necessary to use it when making Spell Scrolls to prevent the Magic Power on them from dissipating.

In the process of making the Scrolls, Duane had already raised his Skill Level with it to the Skilled Level. Besides gaining attribute points, he also obtained the Spell Model for "Middle Level Solidification Technique."

This was the corresponding Solidification Technique used for making Level 4 to Level 6 Magic Scrolls.

By this point, Duane had accumulated 6.7 attribute points.

「Time flew by, and soon it was early July.」

Following the schedule they had agreed upon with Sharp, Duane’s group packed the first batch of clothes in various styles, produced by the Time Closet, into crates and loaded them onto a ship.

At eight in the morning on the first, Duane, along with Natalia, Zelina, and Derek, boarded the passenger ship bound for the Royal Capital.

Although Count Kais did not join them, he arranged for two warships to escort them. Combined with Duane’s passenger ship and two cargo ships, it was quite the procession.

"Duane."

Natalia came out onto the deck.

Duane pulled his gaze away from the banks of the great river and turned to look at the girl, who stood with her hands behind her back, looking a little restless.

Ever since their gathering at Sea Cliff Castle, Natalia had avoided his gaze whenever she saw him. They only ever discussed business, and she would leave in a hurry as soon as it was concluded.

He couldn’t help but tease her, "You’ve been avoiding me for so many days. How come you’ve dared to approach me on your own today?"

"I was not avoiding you!"

Natalia said, in a tone that was three parts defensive and seven parts complaint:

"Ever since you performed for my mother, she’s increased my workload! I have too much Magic to practice and too many lessons every day now!"

Her affinity for the Arcane, Water, and Fire elements was excellent, so the number of spells she could master was not small.

Duane’s ease in learning Magic was only because he had his attribute panel.

Even if he failed at casting a spell, he could still accumulate Skill Level in the early stages. As long as his Skill Level increased, the rest was easy.

Natalia didn’t have an attribute panel, so the difficulty for her to learn Magic was naturally much greater than for Duane.

"So... that’s my fault?"

Duane joked, "The next time I see your mother, I’ll be sure to suggest she reduce your workload."

"Don’t!"

Natalia quickly stopped him. "Right now, she sings your praises every time your name comes up. It’s best if you show your face around her as little as possible."

"Alright, alright. Whatever you say, my lady!"

"You’ve changed, Duane!"

Natalia’s words left Duane completely baffled.

"How have I changed?"

"The way you talk isn’t as formal as it used to be," she said.

Duane replied, "Wouldn’t it be exhausting to keep up a facade in front of the person you like?"

"You..."

Natalia mustered her courage and said, "Fine. I admit you’re right."

She added, "But only about that one sentence!"

"So, do you prefer the way I’m talking now, or the way I used to talk?"

As he spoke, Duane gave a light cough, changed his tone, and stood up straight. "Miss Natalia, please give me a clear directive."

"I... I can’t win an argument with you!"

Natalia thrust a book into Duane’s arms and turned to leave in a fluster.

But just before she left, she mustered her courage and said, "The way you talk now."

With that, she strode away, her long, silver hair catching the breeze, her steps filled with a newfound decisiveness.

"Alright, I understand."

Duane couldn’t help but smile. He then turned his gaze to the book in his arms and thought,

’She didn’t give me another copy of The Love Story of the Knight and the Countess, did she?’

He looked closely. The book had no cover, so he couldn’t tell what was inside.

It wasn’t until he opened it that he saw Natalia’s notes.

"What is this?"

He began reading quickly and soon understood what he was holding.

It wasn’t a novel, a diary, or a love letter. It was a copy Natalia had recently transcribed of the Spell Model for the Level 6 Magic "Blink Technique," along with its Learning Techniques, Usage Techniques, and Combat Techniques.

Seeing the numerous corrections and fresh ink, Duane knew it was a recent work.

When a Mage is in combat, they often use Spell Scrolls to create an advantage.

For example, they might use the Level 3 Magic Frost Imprisonment to slow or even freeze an enemy, buying themselves time to cast other spells.

However, if they don’t have Spell Scrolls, a Mage should try to have a Warrior for protection, acting as a turret themselves.

This is how most Mages fight.

But once a Mage reaches Level 6 and masters the Blink Technique, they gain a certain degree of tactical flexibility.

A Level 6 Grand Mage can cast Low-Level Magic faster. By using it to disrupt the enemy combined with the Blink Technique, they can instantly create a distance of three hundred meters, giving them more space to cast.

This is also why some say that a Grand Mage is the first true Combat Mage.

This also went to show just how valuable the Blink Technique was.

Generally speaking, its Spellbook was not sold on the open market. If a Grand Mage wanted to obtain it, they usually needed to offer their services to its owner.

For example, by pledging allegiance or promising to provide some form of support.

Even for the Kennedy Clan, obtaining the Blink Technique would likely not be easy.

Yet Natalia had transcribed such a precious Spellbook and given it to him. She probably did so without the consent of Lady Delilah and Count Kais.

After all, only Natalia knew that he was a Level 5 Mage, and she likely wouldn’t have told Delilah.

Duane couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion. ’This girl is truly thoughtful.’

For a girl constrained by the idea that marriage is politics, taking this step was not easy.

’Since you’ve given me something so valuable, it would be wrong of me not to return the favor.’

He racked his brain and decided to start by giving her the Summon Warhorse spell.

With Natalia’s Super Class affinity for the Arcane Element, she should be able to master it.

In the future, if she became a Grand Mage, he could also teach her the Arcane Resonance Spell.

Of course, if they were to become family one day, giving her the Level 9 Magic spells Soul Stripping and Will Infusion wasn’t out of the question either.