Wizard: Start with Biological Transformation to Grind Experience - Chapter 268 - 019: Big Deal

Chapter 268: 019: Big Deal

Dusk seeped through the tree hollow, casting patches of light and shadow across the oak chalice as wisps of phosphorescence weaved along the moss-stained bronze pillars, illuminating the interior of the Fairy Tavern.

The pinecone carpet creaked under the footsteps of passing patrons, while a few ravens fluttered down to peck at the glowing red mushroom caps wedged in the gaps of the wooden tables. A fairy’s harp played a slow dirge in the background, as hooded figures in the shadows murmured in hushed tones, sharing secrets.

A fairy server, standing on a floating acorn tray, skimmed across the air, delivering bowls of Sinful Shadow Soup and plates of glazed frog legs to the tables.

At one of the tables, Lynch was drinking with his companions.

Lynch didn’t have many friends, but each one was like forged starlight steel in his heart. In the course of an arduous journey, companions often part ways for countless reasons. Since it was fated that destiny couldn’t be changed, then let every toast carry emotion into the liquor.

“This is a golden opportunity, my friend!”

At the table, Graham began introducing a major deal he had lined up.

In simple terms, it was a translation job.

The Cavas family, a long-time ally of the Graham family, had successfully bid for a collection of texts unearthed from the geological fissures at the last Black Moon Auction. These happened to be written in the Ancient Rune Language, which for most wizards was as impenetrable as a celestial script. To fully comprehend the texts, they had to be retranslated.

Furthermore, according to assessments, much of the content of these texts pertained to Wizard-level knowledge, requiring at least an Official-level wizard to manage. Since the Cavas family clearly lacked such expertise, they had to publicly seek assistance from other wizard families.

Upon hearing about this, Graham immediately thought of Lynch. Lynch had long since mastered Ancient Rune Language to an advanced level. Back when he was still in his apprentice period, he had taken on translation work a few times to earn Magic Stones. Everyone familiar with him knew of his skills.

“6.8 million Magic Stones—6.8 million! Tsk, tsk, I’ve never seen that many Magic Stones in all my years!”

After hearing Graham’s introduction, Lynch didn’t immediately agree but instead asked cautiously: “What kind of texts? Are they complicated?”

Ordinary translations usually commanded prices in the tens of thousands of Magic Stones—a sum of 6.8 million was astronomical. Lynch doubted whether he would be capable of handling texts worthy of such a price tag.

Graham shook his head. “It’s not particularly complex; it’s just that the volume is massive, which is why the price is so high. I heard there are several cartloads of it. Plus, this is just the first batch unearthed. If the work is done well, it could lead to long-term cooperation.”

“I see…”

Lynch pondered for a moment, then nodded, though he remained noncommittal: “I’ll go and take a look first.”

With a major journey ahead, and once parting ways with Avery, who often helped cover costs, every aspect of his life would fall to him. Lynch didn’t have much in savings. The chance to earn such a bounty of Magic Stones before departing couldn’t be ignored.

After a pause, he added, “If I find it doable, we split the earnings thirty-seventy—you thirty, me seventy.”

Translation jobs were among the least risky and easiest tasks he could take on. Plenty of wizards were capable and willing to do them; the real challenge lay in securing such opportunities through proper channels.

Graham shook his head. “Haha, there’s no need for that. I’ll just take a small cut—6.8 million, I’ll keep 800,000, and the rest is yours. As for how we split the earnings for future projects, we’ll decide then.”

Lynch nodded and didn’t argue. “That’s fine.”

After that, the group chatted about assorted topics—from widely circulating rumors to their own emotional experiences.

During the conversation, Lynch casually mentioned the Witch Domain outside their lands and his desire to visit the Land of Freedom.

“The Land of Freedom?”

Graham said, “I have a cousin who lives in a Wizard Tower over there. In his letters, he mentioned that food there costs ten times, even a hundred times, what it does here. No idea if it’s true or not. Why’d you bring it up? Are you planning to go there?”

Lynch nodded slightly. “I’m thinking about it.”

Graham said, “If you’re interested, I could ask around for you. I have an uncle who works at Floating Port; he happens to manage the routes for that destination. But I must warn you, the ticket prices are ridiculous. He says even the cheapest tickets start at 100,000 Magic Stones.”

The route between the Ancient Ruins and the Land of Freedom could be traveled by sky or by sea.

Lynch nodded. “Please help me inquire. Also, would the qualification review process be troublesome?”

The ticket price was a minor concern; the real difficulty lay in passing the qualification review.

The Five Rings Wizard Domain didn’t allow just anyone entry. Its authorities had a strict screening process for outsiders. Only those who passed the examination were permitted entry, and the length of their stay was strictly controlled based on their qualifications.

Graham shook his head. “Not really. If you’re just visiting as a tourist, it’s not that complicated. Money solves most issues there. The reviews are mainly strict for apprentices.”

“Plenty of apprentices, unwilling to put in the effort, think the land is strewn with cultivation resources, joinable with ease to ascend to a wizard’s rank. They pretend to be tourists, sneak in, and then hide there. So the Land of Freedom has stringent checks for apprentices. But for wizards, they’re usually more lenient; after all, talent is valuable wherever you go.”

Lynch was doubtful. “Really?”

Graham nodded. “More or less, I think? I’ve never been there myself, just heard it through the grapevine. I’ll get the exact details for you later.”

Lynch nodded and said, “Thank you.”

…

Early the next morning, Lynch accompanied Graham to the Cavas family’s Shadow Secret Garden, located west of the Dark Forest in the Jade Garden. It was less than a hundred miles from the Shadow Land, and getting there on a Flying Pegasus took less than half an hour.

Shadow Secret Garden, library.

Lynch had thought the translation work would be done in a designated room. To his astonishment, he discovered that he would be allowed into the family’s library.

It was common knowledge that a library was the absolute core of a wizard family’s foundation and inner strength—a place so vital that even family members weren’t granted easy access, let alone outsiders.

Now, walking through the library’s area, Lynch looked around in curiosity. This was his first visit to a wizard family’s library area. How could he describe the experience…

First and foremost, it was heavily guarded.

Located deep within the manor, the library was surrounded by towering stone walls and enchanted vines. Its entrance was a heavy bronze door, embedded with a Mystical Magic Array. Moreover, on either side of the door stood several statues of Wizard-level Stone Statue Ghosts, their ruby-like eyes constantly monitoring every visitor’s movement.

The entire journey was marked by layer after layer of similarly formidable defenses. Lynch suddenly felt a wave of apprehension about his prior consideration of implementing his “grand plan.” This was just the Cavas family—a mere second-class wizard family.

If the defensive might of such a family reached these heights, he dared not imagine what the true core zones of the truly influential wizard families in this land might be like…

After navigating through the myriad levels of security, Lynch finally entered the library’s interior.

Before him lay a grand, circular hall. The towering dome above was painted with celestial patterns, as though the entire universe were encapsulated within. Bookshelves lined the walls, stretching from the floor to the lofty ceiling.

The shelves brimmed with hefty classics, ancient scrolls, and jewel-encrusted magic books. The air was suffused with a unique scent—a blend of parchment, ink, and magic potions. Each breath seemed to carry the weight of accumulated knowledge.

The most striking focal point was at the very center of the library.

A spiral staircase wound upward, leading to an elevated, floating study. A Magic Barrier encased the study, with its surface inscribed with innumerable intricate Magic Runes, emitting the radiant glow of high-level magic.

When Lynch’s gaze fell upon the study, he found himself unable to look away. Inside, it held something he immediately recognized as crucial to any wizard aiming for a higher tier—

Wizard Inheritance!

Indeed, although he couldn’t see the specific contents within, the magical aura emanating from the study assured him beyond doubt: this floating study housed a pathway for advancing through wizard levels—a Wizard Inheritance!

“We’ve arrived, Wizard Lynch,”

the voice of Wizard Vera broke through his thoughts. Vera was an elder of the Cavas family, responsible for handling negotiations with Lynch.

They stopped in front of two rows of bookshelves. Pointing at the volumes on the shelves, Vera said, “These are the Acadica-era ancient books. Have a look.”

“That many?” said Lynch.

Although Graham had warned him it would be a large project, the sheer number still took Lynch by surprise. The eight rows of bookshelves were packed entirely with volumes—at a glance, there were easily over a thousand books.

Vera nodded. “This is only the first batch. If our collaboration is successful, there’ll be plenty more to follow.”

“Alright, let me take a look,” Lynch replied.

He stepped forward and pulled down a volume to examine it. However, as soon as his eyes hit the page, he froze slightly in astonishment.

These texts were actually…