Chapter 111
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Received Invitation from the Imperial Family
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Ultimate artifact blueprint drop?
[Title: Received Invitation from the Imperial Family]
Author: Kim Muggle
Woke up and there's princes' carriages parked right in front of the dorm.
Thought the playboy prince came to apologize for that bet...
But the crown prince stepped up even more, apologizing all seriously and uncomfortably.
Why's he dragging out the apology so long? Turns out he's inviting me to the Empire's Founding Festival.
Said to come with the princess and then they left.
Fuck, I didn't even say I'd go, and I don't wanna...
+Passed out yesterday while messing around lol;
Sudden invitation from the princes to the empire.
I posted on the gallery, slyly hiding what happened last night.
But the galers were way sharper than I'd expected.
You were too busy screwing around with those heroine chicks ㅅㅍ
Something happened last night, right? Spill it.
You didn't do anything with Duchess eyes, did you ㅅㅍ?
This guy's so full of jealousy lol
Why are you so mad lol
This guy's been waiting to ask that.
Something big always happens on festival nights.
Did you cum~?
Be honest, you just drank and that's it?
Damn, why are these guys so quick on the uptake only for this stuff.
Usually they're just spouting nonsense despite being archmages.
Don't waste that brainpower on this crap.
Nah fr, got so wasted I just stumbled back to the dorm; cut the bullshit; should I go to the Founding Festival? Do commoners usually get invited to this? Still some time left tho
From my experience, the imperial family doesn't directly invite commoners to the Founding Festival. Sure, you're a mage which is unique, but you're just a first-year, kinda iffy. Did something catch the imperial eye?
Obvious, nobles' dirty schemes again.
Didn't they say the Archmage Duchess showed interest in Kim Muggle publicly at the awards?
Would've been jealous if she hadn't hugged him on stage.
Yeah, imperial types always wanna be at the top of the world, but with the massive Archmage Duke faction around, they're always watching them. You've caught their eye, and as a first-year, you're easy to approach.
In short, got dragged into political bullshit.
After the taboo mage incident, Archmage Dukes are watching the academy, so imperials can't sit idle. Probably a countermeasure.
"Is that so..."
The galers' take: it's because the Archmage Duchess showed interest.
Sounded right to me too.
The Archmage Duchess, who never cared about the academy before, suddenly getting involved.
From the imperial side, that'd definitely ping their radar.
But does that mean the crown prince personally invites me?
The gallery said we don't know the full reason yet.
But shouldn't be dangerous. She publicly claimed you at the awards, they won't touch your life. Who knows what she'd do if they did.
But seriously, what does Duchess sis see in Kim Muggle
Anyway, Duchess eyes def wants to eat Kim Muggle ㅇㅇ
Still, at least the Archmage Duchess Yi Su-a's interest would protect me.
Why she's interested in me is still a mystery.
But on the flip side, that's keeping my life safe.
"Gotta go, huh..."
No choice, seemed like I had to.
Ignoring the crown prince's invite would cause issues too.
And they did say it was compensation for Akail's rudeness, even if indirect.
Gotta squeeze out whatever I can.
Decision made, I headed back to my dorm room, washed up, and lay on the bed.
Circulated energy to shake off the hangover while checking the gallery.
[Title: But about that Beast Subjugation reward]
Author: MechanicalMage
Something about Wanderer Award got dirt or whatever,
Don't they give prizes for winning too?
Get anything useful?
MechanicalMage's post.
Not a 24/7 lurker, but pops up often.
From his posts, seems like an expert in artifacts and magic stones.
Oh yeah, hadn't mentioned the 'Strongest Beast Subjugation Award' and final win prizes.
Oh right. Got <Arcane Fist Workshop Priority Reservation Voucher> for taking down a Rank 2 beast.
Final win prize was a magic stone, dunno what kind.
But what's this Arcane Fist Workshop?
Like we'd know your dimension's workshops?
You think we're encyclopedias?
Whatever, it'll all be inferior to mine anyway.
Show me a pic of that magic stone.
I pulled out the prize magic stone and snapped a photo.
The container said Aetherolite raw stone.
It had a brilliant, mystical shimmer, but it was tiny. Super tiny.
About the size of my fingernail—what could you even do with that?
(Pic of aurora-glowing magic stone)
Says Aetherolite raw stone on the container.
O?
They're giving this away?
Big reward brain. Yeah it's super small, but plenty for one person's worth!
?? What is this??
Names vary, but basically the pinnacle of all magic stones.
Forms when certain magic stones fuse under extreme pressure, high temp/heat deep underground—conditions are crazy complex, no one knows exactly.
Short version: the ultimate stone that lets you make almost anything imaginable!
Oh. So it's the ultimate magic stone.
Fingernail-sized, but academy's got big balls giving this out.
But magic stones need processing to be useful.
Can't do shit with it raw.
But is there a craftsman in your dimension who can handle that?
Having the stone ain't enough, finding a guy to work it is harder, esp for that one.
Having the stone wasn't the end.
Being so powerful and rare meant skilled craftsmen were scarce.
If we were same dimension I'd craft it, but even we rarely get chances here.
Wtf so I can't even use it?
Your dimension must have artisans who can handle it if it's circulating. Ask around!
MechanicalMage is top artisan, but also a great mage to be a highnik.
That's leagues beyond just being a good craftsman.
He's a rare mage-craftsman hybrid.
Galers guessed my dimension has top artisans too if you look.
<Arcane Fist Workshop Priority Reservation Voucher>
The Rank 2 subjugation voucher caught my eye.
Probably a top-tier artisan there too.
Might handle Aetherolite.
"Ugh...!"
Stopped circulating, got up, stretched.
Refreshed, hangover gone, mind clear.
But mana capacity gains from circulating are slowing.
Efficiency dropping.
Might need galers' advice on circulating again soon.
Anyway, left the room.
To meet Hisenna and Elrim.
They got same rewards, probably same thoughts.
Found them at a brunch cafe inside academy, late lunch.
More like afternoon tea time.
"Ah, scrub!"
"Ian?"
While searching academy for them.
"Everyone get back okay last night?"
"Drank way too much, memories fuzzy. You?"
Sat down casually, chatted about last night.
Luckily, they were smashed too, didn't notice me vanishing with Chayuri.
"More importantly, subjugation rewards. What to do?"
"Hehehehe! The Aetherolite and Arcane Fist voucher?"
"Never expected prizes this good. Aetherolite, and booking Arcane Fist..."
"You two know what these are?"
"No way you don't even know this, scrub?!"
Elrim jumped, explained excitedly.
Aetherolite matched what I knew.
Shocker was Arcane Fist.
"Top artifact workshop... even makes for Archmage Dukes?"
"Heard Dukes only trust them. Rare for Dukes to commission, usually high mages."
"Still makes insane artifacts, normal waitlist is 10 years min!"
Ultimate artifact workshop.
Handles Aetherolite too.
"Aetherolite has endless potential. So you gotta commission right. Half-ass it and you waste it. Planning to consult family carefully."
Hisenna not rushing to commission.
Can make OP stuff, but only if you imagine OP stuff.
But I don't need to worry.
Galers will tell me best thing to make.
Just request that.
"Elrim?"
"Duh, gotta think and commission properly! No way you're rushing, scrub?"
"Was gonna go right away."
"Ehh? You'd waste precious Aetherolite."
"Better think carefully, Ian. We're low-level mages now. Might be best to craft later when we can wield its full power. Make something for our future selves, not current."
"Yeah but..."
Thinking again, kinda makes sense.
Current level means outgrow quick.
Waste of Aetherolite.
[Title: Was gonna hand this rock over right away]
Author: Kim Muggle
Talked to fatty and redhead,
This Arcane Fist place is the best in the dimension?
Wanna hand it off, but better to get stronger first?
Current level would suck.
Why wait? Make it growth-type.
Sucks short-term but way better long-term than fixed. Dunno if that artisan can do growth-type tho.
Growth artifacts need elite artisans.
That level dimension got one? Lol
Probably can't anyway?
High chance they can't, but I can give blueprint.
Wish I could make it myself, but they can follow blueprint at least?
That amount's enough for one growth artifact by my design.
That's your standard, normal artisans can't even read your blueprints lol
Don't overhype other artisans lol
Mess up and you lose cash? Almost no one can make it right.
O;;
Want one? Special for you.
Won't give me one but free for Kim Muggle ffs
lol; kid discount?
So treat redhead nice lol
Wtf this guy's red squad too!!
Old boss gone so new guy's flexing!
What the hell's fatty doing these days!!!
Red squad stop trying bribes honghonghong!!
Root out corruption!
Hm. Giving blueprint.
No reason not to take it.
"Hey scrub. Your hair and clothes match nice today."
"S-scrub?! What nonsense, you scrub! Hmph."
Did nice for Elrim, payment done.
But getting blueprint doesn't guarantee success.
Key is if Arcane Fist's artisan can perfectly craft to highnik specs.
Highnik level is way beyond normal top artisans.
Need to consider if they can't.
k I'll take blueprint ty
Guess I'll go ask first.
If they can, I get insane growth artifact.
Soon after, MechanicalMage posted blueprint in secret thread.
Not just one.
Pick what you want lol
Each artifact was beyond my wildest imagination.
Hard to choose just one.