Chapter Forty-Seven: The Duel Tower

Casually naming the handgun the Ether Elemental Gun, Qi Xiao followed the map and flew to the Battle Tower.

Though called a “tower,” it was more akin to a vast, multi-layered arena shaped like a pyramid, with fewer people on the upper levels. Each platform was an independent combat space, capable of simulating a variety of terrains and conditions—from forests to deserts, and even intricate magical environments.

Each level was encircled by spectator stands, allowing other members to observe and learn combat techniques. Qi Xiao noted that every arena was equipped with powerful protective barriers and emergency stop mechanisms to ensure the safety of combatants.

There were also recovery zones on each floor, staffed by healers and equipped with restorative devices to help members quickly regain strength and treat wounds after battle.

At the entrance stood a grand archway, engraved with the organization’s crest.

Qi Xiao entered. The matches had already been underway for some time, so the lobby was nearly empty; most people were upstairs watching the duels, allowing Qi Xiao to reach the front of the line quickly.

He handed over his identity card and inquired about the relevant information. “This is my first time participating in the Battle Tower since joining the organization. Are there any requirements or points I should be aware of?”

The front desk attendant wore the standard uniform for apprentices of the organization—the same set Qi Xiao had received. The attendant initially wore a professional, perfunctory smile, ready to direct Qi Xiao to the handbook nearby. But upon seeing the entries for his rank and mentor on the identity card, she immediately straightened up, her smile becoming far more sincere and enthusiastic.

“Here’s how it works: The Battle Tower is divided into three tiers—Intermediate Mage Apprentices aged ten to thirty, Senior Mage Apprentices aged twenty to forty, and Senior Mage Apprentices with no age restriction. Only these three categories may compete.

Beginner Mage Apprentices may observe but cannot register for matches.

For your first registration, you’ll need to pay five hundred contribution points. Afterward, each victory will earn you a reward of contribution points. If you advance to the top one hundred, there are additional rewards. Do you have any other questions?”

Qi Xiao nodded thoughtfully. “Thank you. Please help me with the registration, then. Oh, and if I remember correctly, there are no restrictions on items in the Battle Tower?”

The attendant had already completed the registration, returning Qi Xiao’s identity card along with a new card, and replied, “There are still some restrictions: you may bring no more than five scrolls and three alchemical items—after all, these are friendly matches.

Also, this is your battle card. To be matched with an opponent, just swipe it on the tower’s device. Based on your current strength, you can only compete in the Intermediate Mage Apprentice level, so I’ve selected that for you.”

Qi Xiao was a little disappointed, but after expressing his thanks, he left the lobby.

Following the cylindrical corridor upstairs, he realized the day’s matches were nearly over—at most, he could participate in three rounds. But he was only here for the experience, so it didn’t matter to him.

Soon enough, he was matched with an opponent. Qi Xiao stood in the designated area before the device and was swiftly transported into a dueling arena.

He guessed that this teleportation mechanism was likely one of his teacher’s inventions, or at least a project in which the teacher had played a major role.

He glanced at the spectator stands; the seats were less than a fifth occupied. Apparently, this arena had not hosted any particularly spectacular battles today, nor had any well-known mages appeared.

Most of the attention was on the Senior Mage Apprentice matches, where the famous competitors and thrilling contests drew larger crowds. Those who watched the Intermediate Apprentice matches were either “talent scouts” or fellow apprentices looking to learn.

Qi Xiao’s opponent noticed he was looking everywhere but at him and was instantly annoyed. “Hey, kid, you dare ignore me, the Dragonslayer? You’re dead meat today!”

At last, Qi Xiao glanced over to see a blond, blue-eyed young man glaring at him through clenched teeth. Qi Xiao smiled and curled a finger, inviting him to begin. Save for that earlier ambush, this was his first duel as a mage, and he was rather eager.

As the countdown ended, the blond mage sprinted toward Qi Xiao—clearly a bloodline-side apprentice.

Qi Xiao casually cast a Magic Missile as a probe; such simple, zero-level cantrips were now second nature to him.

The blond mage smashed the missile apart with a punch, drawing some cheers from the stands. Qi Xiao then released five more missiles in quick succession, targeting several weak points he had already pinpointed with mental detection.

The blond mage grew flustered, struggling to fend off even a few cantrips, which left Qi Xiao disappointed. With a few shadow arrows, the blond mage was soon defeated and wounded.

When the countdown ended, the judge declared Qi Xiao the winner. Amid the cheers from the audience, Qi Xiao glanced at his battle card—a single win netted him fifty contribution points.

The judge’s voice rang out nearby, “Would you like to rest or continue?”

“Continue.” These few simple cantrips had barely cost him any mana.

Less than half a minute later, a witch wearing a purple veil appeared where the blond mage had originally stood—Qi Xiao supposed his own entrance had looked much the same.

The terrain remained unchanged: a simple grassy field.

Both sides stood silent. When the countdown ended, a breeze swirled beneath the witch’s feet as she sped forward.

Another bloodline-side mage? The thought flashed through Qi Xiao’s mind as he spoke quickly, “Command: Cower.”

His deep voice carried a peculiar cadence; the witch froze in place, dazed. Qi Xiao seized the moment to cast Transmute Rock to Mud, turning the ground beneath her into mire. The witch regained her senses only after sinking in, but it was too late—Qi Xiao had already constructed the spell matrix for Transmute Mud to Stone, anchoring her feet in solid rock.

Seeing the shadow arrow charged in Qi Xiao’s hand, the witch helplessly conceded to the judge.

To avoid spell backlash, Qi Xiao fired the shadow arrow behind him, then changed the stone beneath the witch’s feet back into mud. He offered a calm, “Thank you for the match,” and returned to await his next opponent.

Two effortless victories had clearly raised Qi Xiao’s popularity, as the crowd began to cheer, anticipating a third consecutive win.

The final opponent was slow to arrive; after more than a minute, a burly bald man finally appeared in the arena.

They exchanged brief greetings and waited for the judge’s countdown.

At the signal, the bald man surprised Qi Xiao by retreating and beginning to cast a spell, flames gradually gathering in the air.

This caught Qi Xiao off guard—despite the man’s imposing physique, he was not a bloodline mage but an elemental fire mage.