Above the mage!

Chapter 461 The Staff and the Manor

Starmoss Oak, as a third-tier magical tree, is different from fruit-type magical trees; it does not produce any fruits with extraordinary effects.

Its extraordinary nature lies in the fact that the tree trunk possesses extremely strong magic-conducting ability, making it an excellent extraordinary material, and extremely suitable for making staves.

The Starmoss Oak Staff is a relatively well-known staff among third-tier staffs, and it is extremely suitable for mages who practice natural attribute cultivation methods.

The staff is a standard magical weapon for mages of the traditional spellcasting school.

It can gather and amplify the spellcaster's magic power to a certain extent.

For example, the most well-known Tier 3 staff is the "Fireblast Staff," which is famous because it can synergize with the most classic Tier 3 Evocation spell, "Fireball," to greatly increase the explosion range and damage of the fireball.

Thanks to the formidable reputation of the Fireball spell and its unshakeable position among third-circle spells, the Fireball Staff has become a classic third-tier staff that has endured for a long time.

In addition, staves can often simplify the spellcasting process and improve the success rate, stability, and hit rate of spells.

During spellcasting, the flow of mana needs to remain stable; the slightest carelessness or interference may cause the spell to fail.

This is also why Gao De highly values ​​the [Body of the Dharma Ninja].

Because the [Physical Ninja Body] granted him the ability to focus on casting spells, an ability that requires long-term training and a certain amount of talent to develop, he simply got it for free.

The staff, on the other hand, helps the caster better guide mana, acting as a stabilizer for the flow of mana and making the casting of spells more stable.

Furthermore, once you become proficient in using the staff, it becomes somewhat like a bow in an archer's hand, with spells acting as arrows that can be shot more accurately and even farther.

Finally, after acquiring a staff, a mage can select a certain number of spells from their spell library and store them in the staff.

At crucial moments, a simple wave of the staff can quickly unleash the corresponding spell, essentially serving as a strategic spell reserve.

The number and level of spells that can be stored depend on the quality of the staff.

Because of these extremely practical functions, the staff has continued to develop and gradually gained its current status.

However, because the crafting of a staff is extremely demanding, and staff forging is also a cutting-edge technology in the field of "alchemy," alchemists need to be proficient in various processes such as alchemical materials science and magic storage.

In addition, advanced technology often requires high-end materials to support or withstand, so most staves start at the third tier.

A third-tier staff can be used by a first-level mage, but the question is, can they afford it?
Most of them can't afford it.

This is why, despite the fact that staffs are standard magical weapons, Gaode rarely saw mages wielding staffs before.

However, starting from the second ring, the number of mages wielding staffs will gradually increase.

For a first-level mage to go two levels above their level to buy a third-tier staff is not only because they can't afford it, but also because it's a waste of their talent.

However, for a second-ring mage, a third-tier magic weapon, a well-off mage can still have a chance to reach it by gritting their teeth and saving money for decades.

Moreover, nowadays, at least many gold shops within the Plantagenet dynasty offer "staff loans".

The so-called "staff loan" is, as the name suggests, a loan provided to mages specifically for purchasing their staffs.

Of course, the word "loan" doesn't exist here yet; they call this practice "pledge," where one mortgages their magical items, precious materials, or even future magical services to borrow funds specifically for purchasing a wand.

All of these factors make starmoss oak, the raw material for the staff, extremely valuable.

Correspondingly, valuable trees are often difficult to plant, but for Gaode, or rather, for Flora, this has never been a problem.

At Adrian Leon's signal, the servant behind him stepped forward and opened the sandalwood box inlaid with silver vine patterns in front of God.

As the gilded clasp clicked open, the velvet lining inside the box slowly rose, revealing the treasured artifact within. In a palm-sized crystal glass bottle was a small handful of deep purple, special soil, its surface covered with fine, silvery mycelium.

In the center of the soil, a tree species the size of a fist lies quietly.

The seed is irregularly oval-shaped, covered with a mottled layer of moss, and shimmers with a mother-of-pearl-like silvery-purple luster.

"Thank you." Gao De accepted the gift with great satisfaction.

"I'm glad you like it, Master Gaode," Adrian said with a smile.

By this time, the gift-giving process among the various noble families was almost over.

Basically, every respectable noble in Auckland sent a gift.

After all, Gaode Maps might not remember what gifts you gave, but it will remember even if you didn't give a gift.

The nobles aren't short of money, so there's no need to be impolite.

According to aristocratic etiquette, after the gift-giving ceremony, the next steps usually involve a banquet, social interaction, and so on.

However, Gao De is not a local and has no property or assets in Auckland, so there is no need for him to insist on holding a banquet to entertain guests.

Therefore, after the gifts were presented and everyone offered their congratulations again, Gao De said a few words of thanks, and they gradually left, leaving only a table full of gifts.

"Master Gaode." Seeing that most of the guests had left, the master of ceremonies, arranged by Earl Roland, stepped forward and took out a sheepskin scroll tied with a gold thread from his bosom, handing it to Gaode.

“This is a congratulatory gift from Earl Roland and Chief Theodore.” He spoke with a respectful tone.

"A congratulatory gift?" Gao De looked at the parchment scroll and was slightly taken aback.

The edges of the scroll are slightly yellowed and decorated with delicate gold foil patterns, indicating its great age.

"This is the land deed for this estate," the master of ceremonies explained, unrolling the scroll and showing the deed to Gao De.

"The Earl said that you have already been granted the title of Honorary Mage of Auckland. Even if you are from Auckland, how can you not own a property in Auckland? It is not appropriate for you to stay in a hotel every time you come here." The master of ceremonies relayed Earl Roland's words with a smile.

"Therefore, after discussing it with Chief Theodore, he gifted this estate to you as a congratulatory present for the two of them."

The emcee spoke calmly, but the content was anything but calm.

That's incredibly generous!

Those large estates located in prime locations with beautiful scenery, complete facilities, and attached large areas of high-quality farmland or directly by the sea with private beaches, are priced at over 100,000 Golden Bird Coins each.

The estate gifted by Count Roland was naturally not this lavish.

It is not large in scale, consisting of only a few main residences and outbuildings, as well as a medium-sized garden, and is located in a somewhat remote area.

But no matter what, it is still a manor, and it is not far from the sea.

Standing at the highest point of the buildings in the manor, you can see the sea, making it a true seaside manor.

Therefore, its value is close to ten thousand gold coin.

A congratulatory gift, ten thousand gold coin?!
Is this the work of Count Roland and Chief Theodore?

　This is yesterday's update. I was too tired to finish writing it before going to sleep. I should be able to finish another update later.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)