Curious Banterley

Skar finally agreed to Zhang Yuan's suggestion of returning together after some persuasion. However, as an injured party, even after receiving treatment from a Cleric, Skar was ordered to lie on the supply cart and not move around freely.

According to Skar, divine magic from Clerics could indeed produce immediate results for external injuries, illnesses, and poisons, but it wasn't without a price.

Minor flesh wounds were one thing; the body's natural healing ability, combined with healing divine magic, would suffice for recovery. But for severe injuries that affected bones and muscles, relying purely on divine magic to heal was possible, though it came at the cost of shortening one's lifespan due to the accelerated cell proliferation and metabolism triggered by the magic.

So, Skar's final advice was simple: "At the brink of life and death, there's no room for hesitation. But if there's any leeway, divine magic is just supplementary. You should always trust your own body."

Therefore, Zhang Yuan only accepted the Cleric's healing to slightly speed up his wound's recovery, enjoyed a more professional bandaging, and then obediently crawled onto the cart to lie still like a turtle.

The group headed north, retracing their steps along the Coast Road. Thanks to the clearing they'd done previously, there were hardly any foolish beasts or monsters to harass the caravan this time.

Arriving once again at the Friendly Arm, the Flaming Fist members, familiar with the routine, entered the inn to rest, drink heartily, and feast.

Meanwhile, a certain Mage secretly found old Banterley and inquired about Tylanthyr.

After hearing Zhang Yuan's purpose and understanding the situation between him and Tylanthyr, Banterley was instead envious of Zhang Yuan:

"Are awakened individuals favored by Mystra so much? Or are you perhaps the illegitimate children of Tyche?"

Getting excited, Banterley even jumped up as he spoke, "What is this? At level one, you can summon an earth elemental or a stone golem? By Garl Glittergold (the gnome chief god, also god of wisdom), what will you be able to summon at level nine? A mithral golem or a diamond golem?"

It was no wonder Banterley was jumping with envy and jealousy. The practicality of this altered summoning magic aside, the mere fact that it could be related to the legendary Plane of Mechanus was enough to make others covetous.

After all, gnomes were exceptionally curious. They loved tinkering with gadgets and inventing things, and they were incredibly intrigued by the Plane of Mechanus, filled with gears and clockwork.

Heh heh, with a plan forming in his mind, Zhang Yuan began to hatch a mischievous idea.

"Ahem, never mind that for now. I just want to know, is Tylanthyr really that difficult to deal with? If I perform well as his assistant during his research, is there any hope?" Zhang Yuan was still persistent.

"Perform? You? A layman who doesn't even know basic magical principles, what are you going to show off? You'd probably contribute more lying on the table being researched," old Banterley said, looking at Zhang Yuan askance.

Can we please not keep bringing up being researched? Zhang Yuan thought to himself. Fortunately, he had a plan and didn't care about the other's taunts.

"Then you're not interested in this stone golem? Or is your research level too low to compare with Tylanthyr?" Zhang Yuan began to stir the pot.

"Nonsense, how could my level be low?" The old gnome sprang up three feet into the air. "My knowledge level is far superior to Tylanthyr's..."

He hesitated for a long time, unwilling to boast like "far superior to Tylanthyr in ways you can't imagine," and simply said resentfully, "My level isn't much worse than Tylanthyr's. If you let me research it, I definitely will..."

"Alright, I'll let you research it." Zhang Yuan, who had been waiting for this sentence, cut him off before he could finish.

"You stingy fellow, old Banterley isn't going to steal it from you. Wait, you said you'll let me research it? Did old Banterley hear that correctly?"

"Oh, yes, my dear old Banterley, I swear on my grandmother's name that I will lend you my summoned creature for research. Yes, as long as you fulfill one condition for me. Yes, my old friend, I swear if you do this."

"Good heavens, my Garl Glittergold, your damned tone is more obnoxious than my cousin Gadler's mouth. Yes, I swear, if you speak to me in that idiotic tone again, I'll kick your backside with my boot."

"Ahem, let's get down to business." Zhang Yuan ended his affectation.

"Hurry up and say it." The old Mage was truly helpless to be pestered by such a person, but he couldn't help it, seeing as the stone golem was in someone else's hands.

"I only have one small request. I hope you can teach me for a while." Zhang Yuan finally revealed his true intention.

"I knew it." Old Banterley sighed, his tone less firm than before. "Your relentless pursuit of knowledge and the arcane is commendable. Unfortunately, old Banterley truly doesn't have the energy to explore this path with young people anymore."

"Master Banterley, I'm not asking to become your disciple. I merely hope to receive some guidance from you to help me embark on the path of a Mage."

Banterley let out a scoff. "You speak so nicely. You called me old Banterley before, but now that you need something, you call me Master Banterley?"

As he spoke, Banterley looked up, casting a sideways glance at Zhang Yuan. "Besides, tell me, what's the difference between this condition and asking me to be your master? Aren't you just defining what a magic mentor is?"

His trick exposed and rendered speechless, Zhang Yuan could only paste on a smile and let the old Mage vent his frustrations.

"Forget it. If you go to High Hedge Castle as an assistant looking like this, you'll drive Tylanthyr to his death." After venting his anger, Banterley calmed down. "Ten days. I'll only give you ten days. Whatever I research or whatever you learn will be concluded within those ten days."

Although the time limit was short, it was better than nothing. Seeing that it was wise to accept the offer, Zhang Yuan quickly nodded in agreement, afraid that the other party would go back on his word.

The next day, Zhang Yuan, having woken up early, found Banterley and, as agreed, summoned Tiny for his confirmation.

When old Banterley personally witnessed Zhang Yuan summoning a stone golem with just a Level Summon Monster I spell, his uncontrollable astonishment nearly made his eyes pop out.

"This is not magic, this is not arcane!"

"Yeah, of course, it's not magic. It's a cheat, I added a cheat!" Zhang Yuan grumbled inwardly.

The old Mage walked in circles around Tiny, constantly stroking the golem's stone body, as if every protrusion and crevice sparked his interest.

"Walk a bit, hurry up and have him walk a bit," Banterley urged continuously.

With no other choice, Zhang Yuan had Tiny perform various actions as instructed by the old Mage.

The test results greatly satisfied Banterley. "A very good construct. Although it lacks the autonomous judgment ability of higher-level golems and elementals, it can understand most common commands and its movements are quite agile. It's quite remarkable for a Level One summon."

Zhang Yuan, standing nearby, also breathed a sigh of relief. "As long as you're satisfied. When I return from Baldur's Gate, we'll have plenty of time to research."

"Hurry up and finish your business. Old Banterley can't wait any longer."