The Might of the Treant

After a flash of light, a Dryad—a Tier 3 unit of the Warcraft Elf race—appeared before Donald. She resembled a young elven maiden with the lower body of a deer, her torso wreathed in verdant leaves, and she held a wooden spear in her hands.

The reason he summoned a Dryad was that, compared to other elven units, the deer-bodied Dryad felt more like a creature from another world. Furthermore, when dealing with a mage, a Dryad with the innate ability of Magic Immunity was undoubtedly the perfect choice.

The old mage was shocked by this sight and shouted:

"You are actually a Summoner?"

One must know that standard mages are already rare, and beyond that, other mage professions are even more uncommon; it is difficult to find one among several hundred mages. As for Summoners, a profession that has been in decline for many years, none above the Bronze rank have appeared on the continent for a long time. The few one occasionally hears of are low-level Summoners who do not exceed the Black Iron rank; while their combat power is passable, they lack systematic inheritance and find it difficult to grow.

Now, the old mage's mouth was filled with the bitterness of regret.

Summoners are one of the few professions capable of defeating the strong with the weak, or even challenging those of higher ranks. Moreover, the abilities of summoned creatures from other planes are bizarre and varied. If they have sufficient equipment or external assistance, let alone a Black Iron mage like him, even a Bronze-rank mage could fall victim if they were not careful!

"My Dryad! Defeat the enemy before you!"

While the old mage was shocked and stunned, the creature Donald summoned did not hesitate for a moment. As an absolutely loyal summoned creature, it was born for Donald and shared an inseparable soul connection with its master. The moment it appeared, the Dryad immediately executed its master's command, launching an attack at the old mage ten feet away!

"Yes! My master!"

Donald heard the delicate voice of the Dryad maiden in his mind; this was the mental message she was transmitting. At the same time, she shook the poisoned wooden spear in her hand, and a short, javelin-like energy spear formed from green light shot out from her weapon, hurtling toward the old mage!

The old mage reacted just in time, frantically casting the most familiar spell for any proper mage: Mage Shield.

Mages, whose bodies are even weaker than those of the average strong person, are easily ambushed by melee professionals if they do not have a quick and stable defensive spell at the ready.

Therefore, as a Tier 1 defensive spell, Mage Shield is the first defensive spell most mages master. This spell has the characteristic of increasing in power alongside the caster's level and strength, making it a spell that almost all mages favor.

A Tier 3 Mage Shield blocked the energy javelin, but due to the influence of the natural toxins and the Dryad's Dispel Magic effect, the shield dissipated quickly after absorbing only a few attacks.

The old mage had no choice but to condense another Mage Shield to resist the ranged attacks coming from the opposite side every two seconds on average. Just like that, the old mage who had considered himself an expert and prepared to teach the apprentice Donald a lesson was now forced into passive defense, without even a chance to counterattack.

"Truly worthy of a peak Black Iron mage, even your rolling posture is so practiced; it is truly worth learning for us apprentices!"

The Dryad maiden pressed her advantage relentlessly. The old mage's years of combat experience came into play here, allowing him to persist without being knocked down despite such a disadvantage, though he looked incredibly disheveled. However, Donald's cool, sarcastic remarks from behind the battlefield made the old man want to vomit blood!

Such a unique summoned creature and such powerful combat ability shocked everyone watching!

In the Warcraft game, Dryads are generally nicknamed "Little Deer" by players. Although their attack power is not considered very high among the many units, they possess one major advantage: innate Magic Immunity.

As descendants of the demigod Cenarius, these charming dryads are playful and active. Unlike their cousins the Centaurs, who excel at archery, they are smaller and better suited for life in the forest, protecting nature with their poisoned wooden spears and javelins.

Dryads with Dispel Magic are unaffected by elements and mana, naturally making them immune to negative magical status effects. Most beneficial spells cannot be cast upon them either, so pure elemental spells and other energy-based combat methods cannot harm them.

Of course, their delicate bodies are much less resistant to physical attacks; this is a form of balance, otherwise, as a Tier 3 unit, wouldn't she be invincible?

However, Donald's summoned creatures were inherently stronger than wild magical beasts of the same level in this world. As elite units of the four major races, their combat awareness and intelligence far exceeded that of wild Tier 3 monsters. Even when facing a Tier 5 magical beast, they could hold their own. If they were a squad-sized group of Tier 3 units, hunting a Tier 5 magical beast would be no problem at all.

With such magic immunity and poisonous javelins, a Dryad facing a low-level elemental mage who only knew simple damage spells—and who had seized the initiative to gain the upper hand—wasn't this just a one-sided slaughter?

Donald didn't even summon a second creature, nor did he use the skill of the Scepter of Negation. He simply watched as the opponent was abused into a pathetic state by the Dryad. Just as the old man was about to call for a surrender, the Dryad struck him back with a Spear of Nature. He couldn't even admit defeat and leave the field!

"Fight back! Master Snow! Use your spells to defeat that brat and his summoned monster!"

Facing the old mage's pleading eyes, the nervous young master Sodo did not realize what his companion meant. He kept cheering him on, holding onto the hope of victory.

In the end, the Baron of Red Maple, as the host, could not bear to watch any longer. This middle-aged merchant did not want a mage to suffer any mishaps on his estate.

"Sodo, I think Master Snow is getting on in years and his stamina is failing. Why don't you concede and pause the match? Losing the bet is nothing, but it would be bad if Master Snow were to get hurt!"

Prompted by the Baron of Red Maple, Sodo looked in disbelief at the old mage, who was already exhausted and unable to hold on.

Finally, thinking that his family could not afford the loss of a mage, he called for a halt in a strained voice.

This one-sided contest left Donald feeling greatly satisfied; he had vented his frustration! However, he did not want to kill the old mage. Although this was a formal duel with a signed contract, killing a peak Black Iron mage as an apprentice would inevitably be seen as an arrogant provocation, inciting the dissatisfaction of local mages. That would be very detrimental to his future development plans; it was not worth ruining his grand strategy for the sake of a jealous, incompetent old mage.

"My Dryad! Cease your attack and return to your master!"

Donald commanded in a low voice, causing the summoned Dryad to stop attacking and return to his side, preventing any desperate, vengeful sneak attack from the old mage.

Seeing the Snow Mage with his clothes in disarray, his mage robes torn in several places, and abrasions on his forehead and arms from rolling to dodge attacks, even the Baron of Red Maple could not help but feel a sense of pity. He could imagine that a dignified high-ranking Black Iron mage being defeated by an apprentice would make his future situation quite precarious.

Finally having a chance to catch his breath, the old mage raised his staff, wanting to kill the apprentice to wash away his shame and vent his hatred. But seeing the summoned creature standing guard in front with its weapon, he realized he had no chance of victory. His face turned from green to purple, and finally, he lowered his staff and said dejectedly:

"I have lost!"

"How is this possible? How is this possible..."

Hearing these words, Sodo, who had been so certain of the bet, was devastated to see Master Snow lose. He looked miserable, feeling as if he wanted to die.

One must know that he was merely the son of a Viscount. Although his family possessed a vast territory, the wealth produced did not reach his hands. Over the years, using the names of his father and that Viscount, he had extorted at least three thousand Gold Sol from various merchants, but he had quickly squandered most of it. Now, he only had the one thousand Gold Sol he had brought out earlier.

He wanted to renege, but not to mention the Baron of Red Maple acting as a witness—making it impossible to save face—the way the summoned creature beside his opponent was eyeing him like a tiger made him afraid to act rashly, for fear of ending up with a bloody hole in his body.

Forget it! My life is more important. If the money is gone, I can just go find those merchants and get some more!

It must be said that the son of Viscount Gerry was undoubtedly a fool. At this moment, Sodo had not yet noticed the Baron of Red Maple standing to the side, smiling like an old fox who had just stolen a chicken.

Red Maple Town was not a subordinate noble territory of Viscount Macbeth of Giant Stone City. The Baron had always kept a distance from the Governor, so he had never confirmed his stance regarding the marriage proposal put forward by Viscount Gerry, essentially holding the idea of dragging it out as long as possible.

For his daughter's ideal destination, this merchant noble who prioritized profit above all else wanted a candidate from an outstanding family among the kingdom's great nobles. If he could establish a marriage alliance with a great noble family, the wealth of the Baron of Red Maple's territory would no longer be coveted by others.

The worldly-wise Baron of Red Maple had long since guessed Viscount Macbeth's intentions: to annex and consume the vast noble territories of North Shire, becoming a true Great Lord ruling over North Shire like the other great nobles of the kingdom, rather than just a nominal Governor appointed by the kingdom.

However, the nobles' sense of territory was very strong, and over the years, the Macbeth family's plans had not made much progress. The Merlin Family was the only successful example. Unlike the Merlin Knight territory that had been annexed back then, Red Maple Town, established only a few decades ago, was in a prosperous stage. It was not like the Merlin Family, which had already declined to a certain extent—the old Merlin Knight did not have long to live, and his heirs were either too young or too incompetent, thus giving the other side an opportunity to strike.

Having tasted the spoils of the Merlin Knight territory, Viscount Macbeth could not help but set his next target on the most prosperous noble territory in North Shire: the Baron of Red Maple's domain.

It is nearly impossible to annex the territory of the Baron of Red Maple without drawing criticism from other nobles. Therefore, they had to consider other options, and their plan was marriage.

The Baron of Red Maple has only one daughter and no male heir, so the husband who marries the Baron's daughter would gain the right to inherit the barony and the title. Once the inheritance rights were secured, they could gradually take over the industries in Red Maple Town. By the time everything was set, even if the Baron of Red Maple wanted to go back on his word, he would be unable to stir up any significant trouble.

The shrewd Baron of Red Maple naturally would not give the other party a chance to annex him. He had always dealt with the plans of Lord Gerry by playing along, never giving a direct answer but never outright refusing either, dragging the matter out until now with no result.

The leatherworking craft of Lord Gerry's territory originated from the Merlin Family, the previous owners of the land. For hundreds of years, it has sold well throughout the kingdom and even provided leather armor for the kingdom's army. While not top-tier, it could certainly be considered high-quality.

The middle-aged merchant had always wanted a share of this industry but had no way to intervene. Now, seeing a leather workshop about to fall into his hands, he was inwardly blooming with joy!

Given the spendthrift nature of Sodo, he certainly won't go to his father to be scolded after losing this bet. He will likely find a way to mortgage one of the workshops in his territory to me behind Lord Gerry's back. If I get my hands on that workshop, I can officially enter the lucrative business of leatherworking.

Thinking this, the middle-aged merchant found the fool Sodo much more pleasing to the eye.

Setting aside the actions of the unscrupulous merchant, Donald, having won the wager, first tucked the bag of magic beast cores into his robe. To be safe, he actually stored them in his spatial mark, where outsiders could not see.

As for the remaining five thousand Gold Sol, they were packed into a large chest and left temporarily by his side, guarded by Clinton, to avoid revealing the capabilities of his spatial mark too early.

Sodo and his companion, who had originally come to show off, were now utterly defeated, having lost both the wager and their dignity.

"You won this time, but it won't be so easy next time! Just you wait!"

Looking disheveled, Sodo threw out a harsh threat. Unable to stand the sight of Donald, the victor, smiling smugly as he accepted the wager, he and the Snow Mage—who was both ashamed and resentful—bade their host farewell and hurried away.

Only then did Donald dismiss the summoned Treant, reclaiming its energy back into the Book of Truth.

Hearing Sodo's parting threat, he sneered inwardly: Next time? There won't be a next time. By the next time we meet, you won't even have the qualifications to look me in the eye. Just wait a little longer...

Watching the magical summoned creature dissolve into points of light before his eyes, the Baron of Red Maple's eyes narrowed into slits, a flash of burning intensity hidden within his smile.

To be able to defeat a Black Iron peak official mage while only an apprentice—this level of talent can no longer be called promising; it is nothing short of genius. It seems the rise of the Merlin Family is not far off. If I cannot secure a connection with the children of a great noble house, a genius mage is an excellent choice for the future of my Red Maple barony! And that waste Sodo wants to marry my daughter? Hmph, does he really think I don't know what that Viscount is planning?

Thinking this, the middle-aged merchant's attitude toward Donald became increasingly kind and amiable, and he even sent someone to invite his daughter, Theoline, to meet this young guest.

Now, it was Donald's turn to flee in a panic.

In all fairness, while the young lady was not a peerless beauty, she was still a very attractive girl, both in his past life and here. It was no wonder that Sodo had been pestering her all this time!

However, Donald had long since determined that someone like the Baron of Red Maple was not worth befriending, and he certainly did not want to get entangled with his daughter. Thus, after meeting the Baron's daughter once, he immediately packed up his spoils and took his leave.

It was laughable that the Baron of Red Maple still assumed Donald was merely a shy youth, embarrassed by the sight of his beautiful daughter, and had already begun making plans to recruit him as a son-in-law.