My monster cards can evolve infinitely.

The Chamber of Commerce district in Harbour City is bustling with activity all year round.

The afternoon sun shines on the cobblestone streets, and the shop signs on both sides sway in the breeze.

The air was filled with the smells of spices, toast, and leather, along with the calls of street performers and vendors.

The "Silver Thread and Moonlight" tailor shop is located on one of the busiest streets in the Chamber of Commerce district.

The store is small, but the decor is exquisite.

Several gorgeous gowns were displayed in the shop window, shimmering softly under the magical lights.

The sign above the door features a silver moon and interwoven silk threads.

The tailor shop where he had his grey robe made last time was also in the Chamber of Commerce district, but on a more secluded side street.

The foot traffic and interior decoration are far inferior to this store.

"Olivia's potion shop is also in the Merchant Guild District. I was very grateful for her help last time, and I must visit her when I have time."

Xiu Qi pushed open the door and entered while thinking.

On the store walls, there were all sorts of fabrics, including linen, silk, and even special fabrics that shimmered with a magical glow.

Behind the counter stood a tall woman in her thirties, wearing a dark blue long dress and a pair of elegant glasses.

"Good afternoon," the lady asked. "Is there anything you need?"

"Miss Jasley Moore has booked a dress for 2 p.m.," Hugh said.

The woman's expression immediately warmed up: "So it's Mr. Xiuqi, I'm the shop owner, Eleanor. Please come with me, we've prepared everything for you."

She led Xiuqi into the inner studio.

The studio contained several human models, and the walls were covered with measuring tools and design drawings.

A young apprentice was arranging fabrics when he saw Xiuqi enter and politely nodded in greeting.

"Miss Garcia has already given you your requirements—a dress suitable for a formal ball." Eleanor picked up a design book from the table.

"Considering that you are a mage apprentice, we suggest adopting a simple and elegant style, but reflecting your professional characteristics in the details."

She turned to one of the pages, which contained a sketch of a dark gray dress.

The dress design is indeed simple: a fitted cut, a stand-up collar, and space reserved on the left chest for wearing a badge.

However, the cuffs, collar, and hem are embroidered with protective runes in silver thread, understated yet exquisitely detailed.

"We recommend 'Stardust Silk' for the fabric." Eleanor took a roll of fabric from the shelf. "This silk contains trace amounts of stardust powder, which gives it a subtle shimmer in the light, and it also has a slight affinity for magic."

"A slight magical affinity—it's impossible to quantify exactly how slight. But as long as it's related to magic, the price will be more than 10% or 20% higher!" he speculated, not without malice.

Xiu Qi touched the fabric; it felt extremely smooth and delicate, truly extraordinary.

Therefore, there is a reason why it is expensive.

"Okay." He nodded.

"Then please allow me to take your measurements." Eleanor picked up the measuring tape.

The measurement process took about five minutes. Eleanor was very professional, recording every data point meticulously, and occasionally asking Shooki about his comfort preferences.

"The dress will be finished by tomorrow afternoon," Eleanor said after the measurements were taken. "Would you like us to send a temporary dress to your place first? That way, you can have one if needed tonight."

Xiuqi thought for a moment and said, "No need, I'll come and get it."

He was about to pay the deposit, but the shop owner smiled and shook his head.

"Miss Jasley has already prepaid for the clothes!"

Finally, Xiuqi left the tailor shop amidst the elegant yet enigmatic smile of the female shop owner.

The warm, golden street stretched out under the blazing sun, and Xiuqi flagged down a horse-drawn carriage.

The tire tracks swiftly glided through the light and shadow, carrying him straight to the library of the Royal College of Solma.

......

The library of the Royal College of Solmar is a magnificent stone building constructed of white marble, with a roof covered in deep blue glazed tiles.

A huge crystal is embedded above the main entrance, refracting rainbow-like light under the sunlight.

Xiuqi showed his student badge, walked through the foyer, and headed straight for the spiral staircase.

The first and second floors are open to all students and house books on basic subjects and common spellbooks.

Levels three and above require corresponding access permissions—those levels contain more advanced knowledge, including ancient documents, master's notes, and records of forbidden technique research.

At the entrance to the third floor, an elderly administrator in a gray robe stopped Xiu Qi.

"Permissions," the old man's voice was hoarse.

Xiuqi took out the bronze badge given to him by Master Alvin. The old man took the badge, examined it carefully, and a hint of surprise flashed in his cloudy eyes.

"The bronze badge of the Protection School was actually awarded to a first-year apprentice... This hasn't happened in years!" He returned the badge to Xiuqi.

"You can enter the third level. The fourth level requires higher privileges."

"Thanks."

Xiu Qi stepped into the third level.

The atmosphere here is completely different from downstairs—quieter and more solemn.

The bookshelf was made of dark oak, engraved with protective runes, and emitted a faint magical aura.

The air was filled with the distinctive smell of old paper and parchment, mixed with the scent of some kind of preservative.

He found the section on the protective school of thought by following the category index.

The collection of books here was far richer than he had imagined.

Many of the book titles, such as "Advanced Force Field Structure Science," "Principle of Energy Deflection," "Analysis of Ancient Protective Runes," and "The Notebooks of the Legendary Mage Midas," were only ones that Xiuqi had heard of in rumors.

He pulled out the book, "The Journal of the Legendary Mage Midas," and found a seat by the window.

On the title page of the letter is a preface written in classical Chinese:

"The way to defend is not to block everything, but to understand the flow of power. True defense is not a shield, but making attacks have nowhere to land."

Xiu Qi's heart stirred.

This coincides with his insights when he used [Midas's Primary Deflection Field].

He continued flipping through the pages.

The journal recorded Midas's many thoughts on protective spells, among which a description of force field structure particularly attracted him:

"Most spellcasters mistakenly view force fields as solid walls. Force fields are flowing energy, like water."

The wall will be shattered by a heavy hammer, but the water will disperse the force, guiding it in a harmless direction.

"The real deflection field is not a wall, but a vortex—devouring, decomposing, and guiding."

Xiuqi recalled how he had used a deflection field to neutralize Fernand's magic missiles during yesterday's duel.

The feeling at that moment was indeed like creating a miniature force field vortex.

He was so engrossed in his journal that he lost track of time.

A warm pulse emanated from the rare meditation stone on his chest, and a surge of powerful spiritual energy flooded into his sea of ​​consciousness.

With the aid of the meditation stone, his thinking speed was several times faster than usual, and the knowledge he had just read was repeatedly analyzed and digested in his mind.

In particular, Midas's discourse on the nature of force fields gave him a lot of inspiration.

He attempted to reconstruct the spell model of Midas's Primary Deflection Field in meditation, incorporating some new insights.

Time flew by during deep meditation.

......

Meanwhile, at the other end of the college, in Fernand's dormitory, a secret conversation was taking place.

"Are you telling the truth?" Fernand stared at the black-robed figure before him. "That master can break magical contracts?"

"Absolutely true." The black-robed man's voice was hoarse. "But the price will be high."

A ruthless glint flashed in Fernand's eyes: "I'll pay any price! I'll make that lowly commoner pay the price—not just the price of losing the duel, I'll take everything from him!"

"Including that ogre?"

"Especially that ogre!" Fernán sneered. "Once I break their contract, I'll kill that monster. As for Xiuqi... I'll let him live, to suffer the pain of losing everything."

The man in black nodded: "As you wish. Tomorrow night's ball will make that apprentice lose everything."

"very good."

The man in black robes left silently.

Fernand stood by the window, looking in the direction of Merlin Tower, a twisted smile on his face.

"Shuki Wright..."

"...This game has only just begun."