'Just as I thought. This is exactly what I'd expect.'
The debate over which of the eight schools of magic was the strongest had existed since ancient times. In most eras, however, the top spot was almost always contested between Abjuration and Divination.
The other schools weren't weak, but none could truly challenge those two for supremacy.
"What school do you belong to?" President Gordon asked, fixing Anser with an intense gaze. His dark eyes seemed even deeper than before.
Anser fell silent for a moment before answering with a single word.
"Time."
"I could tell." Gordon chuckled. "You've been hiding yourself well."
How could someone practice time magic without a mentor? No matter how talented you were, someone had to teach you. Knowledge didn't simply appear in your head out of nowhere.
"I wasn't exactly trying to hide it." Anser shrugged.
Seeing his discomfort, Quide immediately changed the subject.
"Anser took two Artifacts from the Thayan lich. He came to share the good news with you."
As he spoke, he handed the appraisal reports to Gordon.
Anser silently complained to himself.
'Calling this "sharing the good news" is certainly one way to put it.'
The two sun elves looked young, but they were probably old enough to be his grandfather's grandfather, so he decided it was best to watch his words.
Being a sun elf—or an Abjuration specialist—didn't automatically make someone trustworthy. There was nothing wrong with being cautious.
After reading the appraisals, Gordon let out a long breath. His expression shifted several times before finally settling.
"Wish, huh..."
At his level, all the other Artifact properties combined were less tempting than that single spell.
Only Wish could help him break through mortal limitations and step into the realm of Legends.
For that reason alone, most Artifacts couldn't compare to Vecna's Eye and Hand.
Wish was the ultimate pursuit of the School of Conjuration, its upper limits still a mystery.
It wasn't that wizards from other schools couldn't learn it—it was simply extraordinarily difficult. Even Conjuration specialists weren't guaranteed to master it, much less wizards devoted to other schools.
Once a wizard chose a specialty, the differences weren't very obvious at first. But beginning around 4th-level spells, most dedicated themselves primarily to spells from their chosen school.
A mortal's lifespan was limited. Without specialization, progress slowed, making it difficult to take the decisive step before life ran out.
Quide himself had mastered Wish, and that alone was enough to secure his position as Tower Master of the Otto Mage Tower.
That was also why he appeared even calmer than Gordon.
"Thay has never been on good terms with us..." Gordon motioned for Anser to sit. Rather than discussing the Artifacts further, he began talking about the long-standing conflict between the Magic Research Society and Thay.
The Magic Research Society and the Red Wizards of Thay had always been bitter enemies. Both competed fiercely for gifted young wizards. One claimed to represent true magical orthodoxy, while the other pursued immortality with pathological obsession.
Their greatest conflict had occurred over two centuries earlier, when the ancient Thayan lich Szass Tam orchestrated a rebellion. Two Necromancy Tower Masters from the Magic Research Society defected to Thay with a large number of wizards, taking with them immense wealth and priceless magical knowledge.
The humiliation was unbearable.
The Magic Research Society responded by issuing its highest-level mobilization order.
In the end, multiple Legendary figures personally led the campaign. They hunted down the defectors, who had already transformed into liches and vampires, and destroyed them. Even Szass Tam's physical body was annihilated, forcing him to regenerate.
Had his phylactery not been hidden so well, his era might have ended then and there.
Although the Magic Research Society appeared to have avenged itself, the victory had come at a terrible cost. They had inflicted a thousand casualties on the enemy while suffering eight hundred themselves. One of their own Legendary wizards had fallen and could not be brought back.
Szass Tam was simply too terrifying.
Some believed his power rivaled that of a demigod.
Anser listened quietly, understanding the President's true intention.
The story itself was secondary.
What Gordon really wanted to tell him was that the Magic Research Society would never betray him. He wanted Anser to feel secure handing over the Artifacts.
"We'll shoulder this matter for you," Gordon said, studying him carefully. Anser's upright figure was reflected in the old wizard's eyes. "So tell me, Anser. What do you want?"
"Artifacts or Legendary items I can actually use," Anser replied.
Truthfully, there wasn't much he lacked.
With the dice by his side, he didn't need to search for mentors, struggle to earn money, or bury himself in endless study like other spellcasters.
His journey hadn't exactly been smooth—
—but as long as he stayed alive and kept moving forward, that was enough.
President Gordon glanced at Quide. His fingertips tapped rhythmically against the table, producing a steady tap, tap, tap, each beat perfectly even.
After a long silence, he straightened in his chair, and the tapping stopped abruptly.
"We only have one Artifact—the Dragonlance. Since you're a Paladin, you might actually be able to use it."
"Some of the old-timers have rather impressive collections, including Legendary items. I can try to coordinate with them. I'll put together a list afterward, and you can choose from it."
Anser's heart stirred.
He guessed the Society almost certainly possessed even more powerful magic items. Otherwise, why would President Gordon have hesitated for so long?
Since he wasn't willing to offer them, either their owners would be extremely difficult to persuade, or they were evil Artifacts and he feared Anser might fall to corruption.
"And there's this as well."
Anser produced another appraisal report. At the top was the name Regalia of the Nether Periwinkle.
He had no use for it, so there was no point keeping it. The Necromancy wizards, on the other hand, would probably love it.
Gordon picked it up, skimmed through it, and froze in surprise.
"You took this too? That lich didn't hunt you down?"
"He couldn't catch me." Anser grinned. "I can cast Teleport with Quickened Spell. I can go wherever I want."
He couldn't resist showing off a little.
Beside him, Quide's expression stiffened. He gave Anser a long look but said nothing.
He had already read Jiandar's and Mason's battle reports. During the Battle of Dawn Town, Anser had openly admired Mason's Ring of Passage, which came with a built-in portal.
And yet he himself specialized in Teleport.
The only conclusion was that the kid had far too many tricks up his sleeve.
"This one will be easy to trade," Gordon said as he put away the appraisal report. "The School of Necromancy hasn't been doing very well these past few years."
Anser immediately took out the Regalia of the Nether Periwinkle and placed it on the table, signaling for the two men to examine it.
Although he was also a member of the Society, this was their first time meeting and working together. He needed to show some sincerity and establish a foundation of trust.
"You've got class," Quide remarked as he picked up the robes first, carefully examining the Legendary item whose aesthetic was... rather unconventional.
Magic items of this caliber weren't something you got to handle whenever you pleased.
"The Dragonlance is stored in Vault No. 1," Gordon said with a helpless sigh. "Only the President has access. He's away at the moment, so I can't take you to see it."
He was merely the Executive President, responsible for the Society's day-to-day administration.
Legendary figures weren't under his authority.
"But..." he continued, changing the subject, "I do happen to have something here that's perfect for you."
With a wave of his hand, a recurved longbow appeared on the table.
"A bow?"
Anser blinked in surprise before picking it up.
The longbow was entirely jet black, its finely grained wood giving it a solid, weighty feel. Elegant silver trim ran along its frame, while its translucent bowstring shimmered with a faint silver glow.
...
[Magic Item: Arcanefire Longbow]
Category: Weapon
Rarity: Legendary (requires attunement by a spellcaster)
A masterpiece embodying the very essence of arcane magic, this bow has been passed down through countless generations.
Even without attuning to it, if you draw the bow without nocking an arrow, it creates a special arcane arrow.
When firing one of these arcane arrows, you gain a +4 bonus to Attack Rolls and Damage Rolls, and the attack deals force damage.
While attuned, you automatically gain Weapon Mastery with the longbow, and it can serve as your spellcasting focus.
You may cast spells through the bow, causing them to travel faster. Any ranged spell attack you make gains a +4 bonus to Attack Rolls and Damage Rolls.
When doing so, drawing the bow can provide the spell's somatic component.
In addition, whenever you cast a 1st-level or higher spell with a range of 5 feet or greater, its range is doubled.
...
'Now this... is excellent.'
Anser's eyes lit up.
Quide leaned closer, looking genuinely surprised.
"Wait... isn't this your arcane focus?"
"I spend all day cooped up in here," Gordon replied, gazing at the Arcanefire Longbow with obvious reluctance. A trace of nostalgia lingered in his eyes.
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