Chapter Thirty-Three: Formation

Stretching his body to ease the fatigue of his spirit, he heard Idonis’s voice from outside.

“Chief Patrick.”

“Come in.”

“Chief Patrick, here is the spell research you instructed us to complete.” The four followed Idonis inside. Idonis placed four arcane scrolls on Patrick’s desk.

On the scrolls were the records of the four’s studies, conclusions on the use of fourth-circle spells, and their arcane conjectures. Each had written diligently; on Quirintis’s scroll, he had even copied down his own crafted Arcane Ring.

The enchantment runes of the Sphere of Force were interwoven with nodes of mana amplification—one hundred and eighteen arcane circuits, three major arcane nodes, and nineteen arcane links. It was impressively done. The performance of mana amplification greatly expanded the Sphere’s effective range.

“Very good. Each of you should imprint your magical signatures and place them in the tower’s library. By the way, have any of you studied alchemy or enchantment?” Patrick asked.

Idonis replied, “Kandirys and I have both studied enchantment.”

“In the past, I worked at the Sun Sanctuary, which served as a transit point on the southern slopes of Sunmark Peak. The Sun Sanctuary frequently undertook enchantment and alchemy tasks, which I and Master Yanida handled as part of our duties,” Quirintis mused, then answered.

“I want to get the alchemy workshop and the enchantment workshop in the mage tower running. Previously, we relied solely on the council’s procurement and grants to keep the tower operational, but now I want the Sunlight Tower to function independently and thrive.”

Patrick’s ambition was to make this place a frontline hub. Alone, he could achieve little, so he needed to shape the Sunlight Tower into a collective, fostering a sense of honor, belonging, and a unique set of values, perspectives, and worldview for the tower.

With a sense of collective honor, each member of the Sunlight Tower would feel a strong responsibility toward the group. This responsibility would foster belonging, inspire more wholehearted effort, encourage bold exploration, and drive the courage to advance.

The elves’ lives desperately needed such a spirit. Their worldview was truly abysmal—decadent and passive attitudes toward life, irresponsible hearts, selfish and self-serving work ethic. Through collective vitality, those at the Sun Sanctuary could cultivate habits of self-discipline, self-improvement, self-transcendence, and self-development.

The Sun Sanctuary was well situated, with a constant flow of rangers and adventurers. Patrick planned for the mage tower to produce potions and equipment, creating economic value. This would free the Sunlight Tower from dependence on the council, foster a sense of belonging among its members, and, with high profits, reward everyone’s hard work.

With a worthwhile endeavor, no elf would wish to abandon it. Moreover, a stable, promising career would inspire greater effort. Patrick had observed for some time—Idonis, Kandirys, Quirintis, and the others were fond of parties and salons, and their work in the Sunlight Tower was casual at best. This was the norm among elves, and Patrick could hardly say anything against it.

The Sun Sanctuary lacked accumulation and heritage; there was nothing to build upon but to start gathering little by little from now on.

“I wish for all of you to work with me. I intend to get the alchemy and enchantment workshops running and sell their wares to the Ghostlands. As for profits, the mage tower and each of you will split them evenly—fifty percent each,” Patrick declared his plan. Such an equal division of profits was extremely appealing to these ordinary mages.

“But, Chief Patrick, the alchemy we’ve mastered and our formulas are fairly ordinary. There’s no guarantee our products will have enough appeal,” Quirintis voiced his last concern. After all, producing goods was one thing; selling them was another.

“No need to worry about that. I will teach you some of the Carbollon family’s alchemy and enchantment formulas. I’ll write them out as arcane scrolls and place them in the library. All knowledge in the library will be open to you. You can learn as you work, earning profits along the way. You may also contribute your own books and notes to the library; these will be a testament to your scholarship.”

Patrick’s proposal was excellent and highly attractive. The Carbollon family’s alchemy was second to none, even in Silvermoon City. Their products had always been directly purchased by the council and the royal family; the quality of their potions was beyond question.

To work in the mage tower, to study, and to earn income—this was like being favored by the goddess of fortune for ordinary elves. Patrick believed that a stable environment and reliable income would calm the restless hearts of Idonis and the others, inspiring them to dedicate themselves to the Sunlight Tower.

“Thank you very much, Chief Patrick. I am more than willing,” Idonis agreed immediately, his excitement growing when Patrick revealed the latter conditions.

“Agreed.”

“I agree as well.”

“Agreed.” The three were radiant, all consenting on the spot.

Idonis and Kandirys were not born into large clans. After their struggles in Silvermoon City ended in disappointment, they joined the Eastern Sanctuary to study magic, hoping to advance their casting ranks or to be noticed by a master and admitted to the Royal Arcane Association. Alas, such hopes had not materialized over the years—until the battle in the Forest of Life, when they sensed an opportunity.

Later, upon hearing that Patrick had been appointed Chief Mage of the Sun Sanctuary, their hopes were confirmed. They promptly resigned from the Eastern Sanctuary and came to the Sun Sanctuary to join Patrick. Now, Patrick’s proposal was a blessing akin to rebirth, an opportunity they had long sought and finally found.

The four left in high spirits. Patrick prepared several enchantment formulas and alchemical recipes for them, letting them practice and systematically learn alchemy.

Patrick stood on the balcony. The Sun Sanctuary was growing more lively by the day; peddlers and merchants were arriving in greater numbers. The ranger companies recuperating here relied on the visiting traders, and their lives were increasingly comfortable.

The magic of the Sunlight Tower gleamed day and night, assuring the passing merchants and travelers. The influx of merchants greatly improved the lives of the elves at the Sun Sanctuary. Once, life on the frontlines was harsh, with little choice in food or daily necessities. Now, merchants brought spices, ingredients, and ornaments from Silvermoon City, and the elves here snapped them up, allowing this remote place to enjoy some quality of life at last.