Above the mage

Chapter 422 Good Things Come in Pairs

"After a 30-year-old Dragon Bird Blood Fungus is consumed, a first-ring mage can increase their magical power by 10-20 drops of liquid mana."

Regarding lifespan, it can probably be extended by 3-5 years. The exact extent of the drug's effect depends on individual constitution and luck." Deacon York thought for a moment and gave God a precise range.

Dragon Bird Blood Fungus.

Gao De had never heard of this magical plant, but he had heard of the Silver Dragon Bird.

The silver dragon coin in the Plantagenet dynasty's monetary system features a silver dragon bird engraved on its reverse side.

In addition, the three major mage legions of the Golden Flower Dynasty are the Sentinels of Light, the Vanguard of Justice, and the Silver Dragon Cavalry. The Silver Dragon Cavalry's "Silver Dragon" refers to the silver dragon bird.

This is one of the symbols of the Plantagenet dynasty.

The fact that the Dragon Bird Blood Fungus can be associated with the Silver Dragon Bird undoubtedly makes it an extremely precious magical plant.

And that's exactly what happened. In addition to directly increasing a mage's level, this thing also comes with two additional effects: improved physique and increased lifespan.

Although these two points happen to be Gaode's strengths, no one complains about having too much life, right?

The effect of raising a mage's level is even more effective.

Gaode currently has 53 drops of liquid mana, which is almost as far as the 60 drops required for the first level of cultivation.

If the Dragon Bird Blood Bacteria is truly as effective as Deacon York claims, then it should definitely help him reach the late stage of the first ring after taking it.

Does that mean we can start thinking about advancing to the second-circle mage level?

At sixteen, one can already aspire to become a second-circle monk.

Three years ago, he was a third-class apprentice monk in a small rural town, whose fate was uncertain.

In just three years, he completed the path that an ordinary monk would take a lifetime to walk.

Thinking about it now, it really feels like a lifetime ago.

"Master Gaode, there is also a guide to taking Dragon Bird Blood Fungus in the box. In addition, this box is specially made to preserve the medicinal effects of Dragon Bird Blood Fungus. However, the loss of medicinal effects cannot be completely prevented, so you should take it as soon as possible."

After explaining the origin and uses of the Dragon Bird Blood Fungus, Deacon York added one more point.

Upon hearing this, Gao De indeed found a small scroll of paper beneath the Dragon Bird Blood Fungus.

The document contains key points in official printed font, including conflicting medicinal materials that should not be taken before or after ingesting the Dragon Bird Blood Fungus.

Gao De was in a good mood and carefully accepted the dragon fowl blood bacteria.

"Thank you for your trouble, Deacon York."

"Master Gaode, you are too kind. Compared to the great merit you have made this time, these rewards are nothing. You deserve them all."

"As a sea sentinel mage, what I'm doing is simply my duty. These extra rewards from Marquis Drake are quite overwhelming," Gao De said, effortlessly throwing out polite remarks.

After the rewards were given and the Marquis's words were conveyed, Deacon York took his leave. God watched him get into the carriage and leave the street before returning to his dormitory with the two rewards.

The advice given by Master York for the Dragon Bird Blood Bacteria is to take it as soon as possible.

However, after thinking about it, Gaode decided to leave it at that for now.

After consuming the Dragon Bird Blood Bacteria, he would be able to attempt to advance to the second ring, and he planned to do so in the Northern Territory.

The high-level spiritual lands in the North can increase his success rate in advancing to the next level.

Therefore, he planned to take the Dragon Bird Blood Fungus back to the North and consume it.

Another point is that Gaode wants Flora to see the Dragon Blood Fungus, firstly for necessary examination, and secondly to try to see if it is possible to cultivate the Dragon Blood Fungus.

As for the other reward...

He hadn't dared to look closely in front of Deacon York.

Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, he opened the box again to examine the details of the house and land deeds.

"172 Regent Street, Van Traren District"

"Royal Watch Company"

Gao De had lived in the Vanjolen district for a while and was quite familiar with the area, so he only needed to recall it briefly before he had an impression of it.

Regent Street is one of the three busiest streets in the Van Traren district. The shops on Regent Street are typical four-story terraced buildings.

The same goes for this "Royal Watch Shop".

It is worth noting that although the name contains the word "royal," it does not actually have royal authorization; it is merely used to indicate that it "serves gentlemen."

If I remember correctly, the owner of this watch shop had broken Dorne's laws and was already in jail, so the watch shop was also confiscated.

Because its business was already in dire straits, after the confiscation, without the owner's dedication to its management, it closed down for a long time.

However, these are not important.

On Regent Street in the Van Traren district, nothing is worthless.

Land prices and housing prices are what they are.

A rough estimate suggests that such a shop is worth between 2500 and 3000 Golden Bird Coins.

atmosphere!

As expected of a marquis of a prefecture, the reward he bestowed was truly generous.

More importantly, this was a complete windfall.

Gao De never expected that the Marquis of Bailu County would give him a separate reward, so the surprise of receiving such a generous reward was doubled.

Good things come in pairs.

Gaode was just about to personally visit his new business.

Staff from the Sea Sentinel unit knocked on his door first, informing him to assemble at the White Tower in the Deep Sea to announce the military merits of the Auckland disaster relief mission.

Because the relief efforts in the Auckland region were a collective and mandatory mission, the results of the military merit assessments were also released together and announced uniformly.

This, for him, is the real highlight.

Ultimately, his roots in the Plantagenet dynasty were still those of the Sea Sentinel.

Only by accumulating military merits can Gaode exchange them for a first-level spell recipe, solidifying his foundation and helping him awaken a more powerful specialization.

Moreover, with the second-ring advancement imminent, both the auxiliary magic potions needed for the advancement and the second-ring spell recipes after a successful advancement require military merits to exchange for.

Military merits are never enough.

Gao De thanked the staff who relayed the message and hurried back to his bedroom to change into his Shanghai Sentinel uniform.

For such formal occasions, it's important to dress appropriately.

He then headed towards the White Pagoda in the Sea Abyss.

When they arrived at the destination, they realized they were too early.

Because Dorne is a very large city, not all mages live in the dormitories provided by the sea sentinels like Goddard does, and can get there in less than half an hour by carriage.

Not everyone is like Gaode Maps, who has nothing to do at the moment and can come immediately upon receiving a notification.

Therefore, a two-hour gap was left between the notification time and the official announcement of military achievements to ensure that as many people as possible could attend.

Of course, we didn't leave everyone waiting; instead, we provided tea and fruit platters.

People gathered in small groups, chatting and eating berries.

At such times, the conversation naturally revolves around military achievements.

Gao De also randomly found a spot and joined in, but he didn't speak; he just listened to everyone chatting.

"This military merit assessment has been delayed for four days. Although there are many people involved, there are also many people waiting for the results. As is customary, the higher-ups will usually handle this matter specially and the results will be available within two days. This time is quite unusual."

"I think I heard that it was because one of us had made a great contribution, and when it came time to assess his military merits, there was a conflict of opinion from above, which caused the stalemate to last for a day or two."

"Really? Such an incredible feat?"

"There's no smoke without fire; it's probably true most of the time."

"."

As Gaode listened, he realized that the focus of the conversation had shifted to himself.

Fortunately, they did not seem to know the specific name of the person who had performed the meritorious service.

But Gao De vaguely sensed that as the conversation reached this point, a anxious gaze swept over him from another corner.

When he looked back in the direction of the gaze, he found that no one was looking at him.

This took about two hours.

The number of mages on the field increased, eventually reaching nearly three hundred.

At this moment, a mage in a lieutenant colonel uniform walked out of the mage tower, followed by several other mages, the lowest of whom was a captain.

Upon seeing the important figure appear, all the sea sentinel mages present immediately stood up, came to the square, lined up in formation, and stopped talking, becoming quiet.

Although the atmosphere was solemn, joy could not be concealed within it.

After all, this is the moment to claim credit.

The mage in the lieutenant colonel uniform arrived at the center of the square, the gilded insignia on his collar shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight.

He coughed lightly twice, his gaze slowly sweeping over the assembled mages. When his eyes swept over Gao De's figure in the crowd, he paused for a moment, his eyes subtly lifting slightly before he took out a neatly folded parchment from his pocket.

The back of the parchment scroll features a wave pattern outlined in a gentle curve.

He opened the parchment scroll:

"A secondary dimensional rift suddenly opened, with surging undercurrents and whirlwinds unleashing natural disasters, destroying villages and towns and displacing refugees. At this critical moment, the elite Sea Sentinel Mages were dispatched. To recognize the brave warriors' achievements and to demonstrate the strictness of rewards and punishments, your contributions are hereby recognized, and you are hereby awarded corresponding military merits."

After reading the preface, which was more or less the same, the lieutenant colonel mage began to describe the scale and number of sea sentinel mages deployed in the Auckland disaster, the disaster relief work they did, and then a round of collective praise.

Once this process is complete, it's time for the most anticipated part: the reward and recognition of contributions.

Read them down in order of merit, from lowest to highest:

"Mage, awarded five Third-Class Merits; Mage Marco, awarded five Third-Class Merits; Mage Edwin, awarded six Third-Class Merits; Mage Ur, awarded six Third-Class Merits."

Anyone who participates in the Auckland disaster relief mission will receive at least five third-class merit awards.

"Zovyn Burns, awarded eight Third-Class Merits."

Gaode heard a familiar name.

And it was after that name was uttered that he noticed the first small commotion in the crowd.

"That's not right. How come Zuo Wen Burns only has eight third-class merits? That's unlikely."

"Yeah, he was in the second batch to set off, how come he only has so few military achievements? Could it be that he didn't do his best?"

There are many similar discussions.

Gao De followed the discussion and looked at the figure standing straight at the front, which was Zuo Wen Burns.

The latter's face was expressionless at this moment, as if he hadn't heard the whispers of the crowd, or as if he didn't care.

The lieutenant colonel monk paid no attention to these minor incidents and continued reciting his merits in an orderly manner.

It wasn't until the number of third-class merits reached twenty that Gao De finally heard about his first second-class merit.

"Master Thorne, for evacuating over a thousand disaster victims, you have been awarded one second-class merit and ten third-class merits."

Gao De noticed that previously, when it was the third-class merit, only the merits were recorded, and the corresponding performance achievements were not read out. But now, the achievements are being stated in concise language.

The difference in treatment is quite obvious.

Undoubtedly, this also secretly pleased the Sea Sentinel Mage who had performed outstandingly in the disaster relief mission.

"Master Cicero participated in the mission to quell the Windfall in Auckland and performed outstandingly, earning five second-class merits and one third-class merit."

Gao De listened intently, a thought suddenly striking him. He realized that this Cicero mage must be the other Sea Sentinel mage who had responded to the Auckland mage rallying call alongside him.

However, they were not assigned to the same warship at the time, so they did not interact.

After reciting Cicero's merits, the lieutenant colonel paused for no apparent reason, put down the parchment scroll, and looked intently at the restless crowd. After a second or two of silence, he spoke again:

"Master Gao De, the most outstanding individual in this disaster relief mission, participated in the Auckland typhoon relief efforts and made the greatest contribution, preventing significant losses for the city. Furthermore, he evacuated over ten thousand disaster victims. He received strong recommendation and praise from Earl Roland, and a resolution was passed..."

"Gao De, a first-class apprentice monk, is exceptionally promoted to sergeant monk, and awarded three first-class merits, ten second-class merits, and ten third-class merits."

You got promoted?!

Three First-Class Merits?!

An uproar erupted in the square.

There was both shock and dissatisfaction.

Who is this Gao De? I don't think I've ever heard of this name before. How could such an unknown person, a first-class apprentice mage, have made such a tremendous contribution?

Did he really do this by himself? Could it be some kind of cheating?

Others felt that they admired Gao De's performance and contributions, but felt the reward was unfair. Why should he be awarded three first-class merits?

First merit, first merit. A first-class apprentice monk must have the ability to make the first merit, but there must also be an element of luck involved. Moreover, the one who really made the greatest contribution must be the monk Gao Huan.

Putting aside the fact that his role was insignificant, the huge difference in rewards made those high-level mages who had worked diligently and made great efforts think about it.

The discussion stemmed from the generous reward.

Even Gaode was somewhat surprised by the reward he received.

He knew he would definitely receive a first-class merit, but he never expected the number to reach three.

At the same time, they did not expect that in addition to military merit awards, he would also be promoted in military rank.

After all, he had been a sea sentinel for less than a year and had not yet completed his probationary period. According to the rules, the highest rank a soldier could achieve in this year was not higher than that of a probationary mage.

Over here, facing the discussions on the field, the lieutenant colonel mage, who had previously ignored them, suddenly became serious. "Do you have any opinions? If so, just say them to me directly. Don't gossip like petty people down there."

His words were anything but polite, and the slight anger in his tone was unmistakable.

As soon as he finished speaking, the surroundings fell silent.

Gao De never expected that a complete stranger, a high-ranking lieutenant colonel and mage, would stand up for him.

"The reading of all military merits has concluded. Since there are no objections, everyone may disperse." Seeing this, the lieutenant colonel monk said nothing more, put the parchment scroll into his robes, flicked his sleeve, and left.

The monks who remained in the square also began to disperse upon seeing this.

However, everyone's eyes were wandering around the field, either directly or indirectly, trying to find out who this person named "Gao De" was.

— Gao De usually doesn't socialize much, so not many people among the sea sentries know him.

Despite the attention and search from the crowd, Gao De walked straight toward the mage tower without looking to either side.

Having earned his military merit, he couldn't wait a moment longer and was eager to exchange it for spell recipes and see the good stuff on the first-class merit exchange list!

(End of this chapter)