Chapter 109: A Few Matters Regarding the Magic Factory

For Isha, there was no one in this world besides Li De who could make her feel such genuine joy and excitement.

Her delicate little face radiated a broad smile, both shy and elated.

"Teacher~"

Her sweet, coquettish voice and dependent gaze gave Li De the illusion of raising a pet. One might even say she was indeed a "young dragon," though lacking the typical dragon characteristics.

"Lord Li De~~"

Vina still wore a warm smile on her face, showing no displeasure despite Li De not greeting her first. This girl seemed to always be the little maid standing behind him, ready whenever needed.

Li De smiled faintly and reached out to gently pat his little maid's long golden hair.

"Vina, you've worked hard."

These simple, ordinary words of comfort instantly erased Vina's fatigue from days of work, filling her with renewed energy.

After chatting for a while, the three of them moved to the study.

Li De formally assessed Isha's progress. He had specifically instructed Vina not to let Isha build magic models too quickly.

For beings with golden bloodlines, becoming a formal mage was almost as effortless as breathing.

For ordinary commoners, becoming a formal mage as soon as possible was undoubtedly a good thing. However, for someone like Isha, with the golden bloodline, it wasn't necessarily beneficial.

To go further in the future, a vast foundation of magical knowledge and cultivation was required.

Li De hoped to solidify Isha's foundation as much as possible. Meeting Isha felt like discovering a flawless gemstone, and he wanted to carve her into an impeccable masterpiece.

Thus, he had been strictly managing Isha's learning progress.

The results naturally satisfied him. This girl, who had endured hardships unknown even to Li De, possessed an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Coupled with her extraordinary talent, her understanding of magic had deepened step by step over these days.

"Very good, Isha. Remember, for a mage to become powerful, effort and knowledge are far more important than innate talent.

Neglecting effort will only squander your natural gifts.

Without studying and mastering knowledge, even possessing great magical ability won't allow you to fully utilize it.

During this time, focus on thoroughly learning the foundational knowledge. When your understanding of magic satisfies me, I'll teach you powerful spells."

Li De patted Isha's little head. Her ruby-like eyes always stirred something indescribable within him.

It reminded him of the obedient little kitten he had raised in his youth.

"Yes, Teacher. Isha will work hard, and in the future, I'll become your helper, just like Big Sister Vina."

Isha spoke a lengthy sentence, her determined gaze making Li De chuckle.

"Good. When Isha becomes strong, I'll let you protect your teacher~"

Receiving such immense encouragement, Isha's cheeks flushed deeply, and she nodded vigorously.

"Mm-hmm, I'll protect my teacher!"

Her innocent words made Li De burst into laughter again.

They hadn't chatted for long when Laurent arrived, drenched in sweat after hearing the news.

"Good afternoon, Lord Li De."

"Mm, you've worked hard. Please sit down."

Laurent sat upright opposite Li De, the wide desk separating them. Vina and Isha sat on stools beside Li De.

The study was filled with oak bookshelves, occupying most of the space. On the shelves were various thick ancient books, their covers made of parchment scrolls, hardwood, or other unidentified materials, protecting the most precious thing in this world—knowledge.

The unique scent of paper lingered in the air.

Sunlight streamed through the windows, scattering specks of light onto the dark carpet embroidered with iris flowers, adding a distinct atmosphere to the dimly lit room.

In such an environment, even Laurent's tone became more solemn, as if speaking casually here would invite divine punishment.

"How far along is the construction of the magic scroll factory?"

Li De didn't waste time on pleasantries and went straight to the point. In his vision, magic scrolls would become a pillar industry of the Crimson Mage Tower, and the profits from this industry would support the ever-expanding Dawn City.

No amount of attention to this matter would be excessive.

"The magic factory will be completed in just half a month. I've been personally overseeing its construction."

Though called a factory, the magic factory was essentially just a large room. The difference lay in the fact that it produced magic scrolls, with anti-theft doors replaced by alchemical traps and magic arrays.

The magic factory was located near the back entrance of the Crimson Mage Tower. Walking twenty blades out the door led directly inside.

Since confirming the recruitment of apprentices and the establishment of the magic factory, the influence of the Crimson Mage Tower had expanded significantly. Nearly all the land within two hundred blades around the tower had been acquired by him.

As for the price? It cost only 2,000 gold pucks. Why did such a vast area cost only 2,000 gold pucks?

This was due to Li De's leniency. Within the protection of the mage tower, even if he had requisitioned the land without compensation, it would have been handed over willingly.

When each mage tower was established, it was ensured that no major nobles were nearby.

Thus, as a powerful entity, no one dared to resist.

Of course, those whose land was requisitioned wouldn't suffer too much. They would receive the protection of the Crimson Mage Tower and no longer need to pay protection fees to other underground organizations.

These minor matters were naturally handled by Karu and Vina; Li De rarely interfered with such specifics.

"Are the magical materials for producing scrolls prepared?"

"Lord Li De, Lord Spark has sent word. Under his guidance, the Crimson Mage Tower has been given permission to sell magic scrolls; many noble families have already promised to provide us with magical materials."

Spark?

Li De's eyes widened slightly in surprise. He hadn't expected his opportunistic teacher to help him so wholeheartedly. A warmth spread through his heart.

"Very good. Go ahead and acquire a batch of materials first, about 500 portions. Before the magic factory is completed, we'll train the apprentices."

Laurent nodded respectfully.

"Lord Li De, regarding the defensive magic array for the magic factory, should we hire people from the Mage Guild to set it up, or should we handle it ourselves?"

Such an important facility as a magic scroll factory naturally required defensive measures. The Green City Mage Guild offered services for setting up magic arrays.

However, their fees were rather high.

The magic arrays of the Crimson Mage Tower had been set up free of charge by the Green City Mage Guild at the time. Otherwise, arranging over 500 magic arrays throughout the tower would have taken him at least half a year.

"Go to the Mage Guild and hire a few people to lead the setup, but use our own mages for the general tasks. Vina, have the apprentices who recently became formal mages registered with the Mage Guild yet?"

"Lord Li De, not yet."

"Afterward, go with Laurent when hiring people from the Mage Guild and register them at the same time."

Once a mage became a formal mage and registered with the Green City Mage Guild, they would receive a monthly subsidy of one gold puck—a benefit not to be missed.

"Yes, my lord."

After finishing the instructions regarding the factory, Li De felt another headache coming on. He thought of the mage tower that still needed to be built in Dawn City.

The lack of materials was staggering.

He glanced at Laurent and shook his head.

Relying solely on the Golden Wheat Merchant Guild to procure materials would likely cause many complications. Forget it—he'd go ask his opportunistic teacher for help.

Thinking of that unkempt old man reeking of alcohol, Li De couldn't help but shake his head with amusement.

His teacher was truly one of a kind.

"Laurent, prepare a carriage and bring two bottles of fine wine. I'm going to visit Teacher Spark's house."

"Yes."

As Li De stood up, he noticed Isha's reluctant gaze. Moved, he reached out and took the girl's hand.

"Isha, come with me today to visit my teacher."

He didn't know why, but he felt that Spark would like Isha. Elderly people often found it hard to resist children.

Perhaps then he could coax something valuable out of Spark, like more Magic Scroll Production Techniques.

Li De harbored the same mentality as bringing children along during New Year visits—to score extra red envelopes.