Lynn's Diary

"April 14, Year 993 of the Yaxian calendar, Tuesday.

"The calendar and dating system in this world are actually so similar to the previous world's. It has twelve months too, and also uses 'seven' as a week. Only the length of each month is a little different. Because of mages' powerful ability to observe the stars, the margin of error is very small too. Truly amazing...

"Come to think of it, this is my first attempt at recording and recalling what I've seen and heard in this world by keeping a diary. A short two weeks, and it feels like a lifetime ago.

"Although all kinds of races exist in this world, there is a common language to connect them. I chose to write these things down in Chinese characters, which has two advantages. First, it strengthens my memory and sorts out my thoughts. Second, Chinese characters do not exist in this world, so using them as a written record is an excellent encryption method. Even if someone probes my memories in the future, there will be an added layer of protection.

"Mm, burn after reading. Anyway, with a mage's memory, it's basically enough to never forget anything after seeing it once.

"For now, my journey through another world has been fairly smooth.

"Adventuring is far more dangerous than I imagined. Facing those Demonic Beasts head-on is much more terrifying than the stories I've heard and read.

"But magic is truly too interesting. Merely chanting a spell, or stirring spirituality, can give birth to all kinds of miracles out of thin air. Every time I cast magic, I can feel my soul tremble faintly, and that makes me long to come into contact with even more profound magical knowledge.

"Perhaps this is why those mages are proud of being able to control magic? They understand that they are walking a road that will one day transcend the mortal world.

"But at the same time, mages are also lost. 'I' often read legendary stories about those mages in books.

"They studied until their hair turned white over worn-out classics, devoting their lives to researching the path of magic, yet they were never able to touch the origin of magic.

"That makes me admire them greatly, but I'm also a little afraid. Should I join them, bury my head in books, and spend my whole life in this world like that?

"Fortunately, I'm only seventeen now. I still have plenty of time to think. The most crucial thing at present is learning second-ring magic. This will bring my strength up to a new level.

"Mm, I'll first wait for the Day and Night Obscurity magic book that Mr. Barton is personally making to be finished. This will be much easier to learn than the ordinary magic books that can be bought on the market.

"Also, should I use the ten gold coins Elaine paid to buy another second-ring magic book?

"If so, I'll only have twenty-four silver coins and thirteen copper coins left...

"Money, money, money. Ah, when will I finally get rich overnight?

"Perhaps I should start trying to make magic books. That's the way to earn the most money!

"Right, I heard that new magic can be registered under an individual's name, and after that, its spread and study will bring in a certain amount of income.

"Isn't this just an invention patent?

"Apply for a patent, and profit once for all!

"Also, I heard that professionals above the Initiate Level receive annual pension benefits. I wonder how much money mages can get?

"After becoming an Initiate Mage, I'll be able to choose to join a Mage Tower... Isn't this basically the rhythm of preparing to enter a big company after graduation?

"A beast of burden for one day, a beast of burden for life...

"Among the Seven Mage Towers, I currently understand the White Tower the most deeply and have the best impression of it. With Mr. Barton's help, I believe I can enter the White Tower smoothly.

"The White Tower's philosophy is also the one I find most convincing. Mr. Barton said before that the 'white' in White Tower not only refers to the process of going from nothing to something, but also symbolizes the common people. That surprised me. Does another world also have the term 'white commoner'?

"The scholars of the White Tower emphasize the practicality and innovation of magic, and believe that magic is not the exclusive possession of mages and other spellcasters, but the shared wealth of the entire world.

"As the White Tower Society most highly regarded by the Yaxian royal family, they are working hard to promote the civilian use of magic, from lighting lamps that can be seen everywhere, to sunny-rain devices that can affect the weather and aid agricultural development... They really are quite down-to-earth.

"But according to Mr. Barton, the White Tower's research is not going smoothly. The original intention of civilian magic items is to allow people who cannot sense magic power to use them freely as well, so enough magic power has to be prepared for them in advance, rather than, like ordinary magic items, only needing magic patterns carved into them.

"At the root of it, it's still because magic power is too difficult to control. It is clearly energy that can be found everywhere in nature, yet it requires spellcasters to rack their brains before they can use it.

"It's as if it is resisting being used by people.

"On the contrary, Demonic Beasts use magic power much more smoothly...

"I suddenly remembered, after becoming Mr. Barton's student, will I have to write papers every day... I hope I don't go bald.

"The second-best consideration should be the Blue Tower. Its full name is True Blue Tower. Their research on the mind and spirituality truly tempts me, and could effectively make up for my shortcomings. But their ascetic style of cultivation conflicts somewhat with the 'social-type' leveling method encouraged by the Codex of Origin...

"And Elder Adolph doesn't seem as easy to get along with as he looks. Mr. Barton secretly complained to me that people from the Blue Tower are all a bit mystical and muttering. But right now, I've only come into contact with Adolph, one member of the Blue Tower, so it's hard to draw a conclusion.

"Then, the Golden Tower, the richest among the Mage Towers. Their members refuse to follow the other Mage Towers and use an abbreviation. They insist that only the two words 'Golden Tower' can match the style of this tower. But I think they just dislike how awful the abbreviation for 'Golden Tower' sounds...

"Their members are all money-worshippers. How strange. Don't mages all boast of transcending the mortal world? Such a vulgar pursuit can actually be accepted by mages?

"But I don't really mind. If there's a chance to understand them and learn some advanced experience, that would be excellent too.

"Lastly, the Green Tower, also called the Tower of Nature. What they pursue is nature and harmony, a beautiful philosophy. Unfortunately, the things related to the Green Tower that I've come into contact with so far don't seem very good... except Charlotte.

"A Druid's combat power in the wild exceeds my imagination. Perhaps I should interact with her more. Would she be interested in the Magic Web?

"Elaine has already returned to Roan City together with Charlotte. I'll wait and see for now...

"Elaine still owes me three things. Perhaps after joining a Mage Tower, I can ask her to purchase a property for me in Roan City? That shouldn't be too much, right?

"However, I've never been to Roan City before, so I don't know the situation there. What if it isn't comfortable to live there?

"Roan City is in the west of Yaxia. Its area isn't large, and its economy isn't exactly prosperous. Perhaps I should go take a look elsewhere?

"The world is so big. I want to wander around more...

"Elaine said there is a type of traveling mage who roams all over the continent year-round. They experience adventures, and their understanding of magic is much deeper than those scholars who hole up in Mage Towers all day.

"Moreover, what travel brings them is not only abundant experience, but also a great deal of fresh magic.

"After all, magic that can be recorded and spread is only a minority. Most magic still exists in various places throughout the world, like the most primitive, mysterious treasure, waiting for people to go and unearth it.

"When I have enough strength and have saved enough money, I should leave this place and roam around. That way, I won't waste this chance to live another life.

"As expected, it's easy to think too much at night...

"Forget it. From tomorrow onward, I'd better honestly go to the library and read. Mr. Barton gave me such a long book list."

Lynn set down the pen, quickly skimmed through the diary that filled several pages, then carefully tore them out. Flames rose from his fingertips, and in the blink of an eye, they burned cleanly away.

He nodded in satisfaction, yawned, and lay down on the bed. The moment his head touched the pillow, he fell into a deep sleep.