A mage's journey begins with a battle mage.

Chapter 44 Arbitrator

After agreeing to pay the remaining amount ten days later based on the quality of the weapon, Jiang Shuzhou walked out of the blacksmith shop with a pained expression.

There was nothing that could be done about it. Jiang Shuzhou originally planned to buy it from the auction house, but the weapons there were all ridiculously expensive. Even though the price of gold had dropped to 5 per coin, a Tier 1 weapon still cost 2000 million. Moreover, Jiang Shuzhou had actually ordered two.

He didn't want to be ripped off, so he naturally went to a blacksmith shop to have it made.

"Alas, people are busy all day long, all for a few pieces of silver."

With a sigh, Jiang Shuzhou once again boarded the bus and headed to the Mage Guild, where he prepared to take up his post as the new Arbitrator in Velisco.

"Robbery is still the fastest way to make money, but it's a pity it's illegal."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Upon entering the Mage Guild's front hall again, there were far fewer people than before, and all the beautiful female mages were nowhere to be seen, leaving Jiang Shuzhou feeling somewhat empty inside.

The free scenery is gone; you'll have to pay to see it again next time.

"You've arrived. Is there anything I can do to help you?"

The receptionist was still warm and polite.

"I want to become an arbitrator. What kind of assessment is required?"

Upon hearing this, the receptionist pulled out a book and a letter from under the ever-reliable table and then replied.

"No need, just take the letter of recommendation to the arbitration bureau. By the way, you must work for two months after joining the company, but you will receive a bonus first."

"How much?"

"3000 gold coins, which is your monthly salary, provided that you sign a contract and cannot resign within two months."

Goodness gracious, how desperate are they for staff? With such great salaries and benefits, why is nobody interested?

"What is that book?"

"These are the props you'll need after you start working."

"What is it?"

"A Legal Overview of the Mage Alliance"

Isn't this a skill that should be mastered? How did it become a prop?

Seeing Jiang Shuzhou's puzzled expression, the receptionist smiled and said something.

"Under the laws of the Mage Alliance, mages are not directly governed by the law, and most laws are ineffective against mages."

Then, seemingly worried that Jiang Shuzhou might go astray, the receptionist reminded him again.

"Even so, you'd better refrain from doing anything illegal or disorderly. Although the law may not be able to govern you, other mages can."

Got it. As long as I don't cause trouble, everything will be fine.

After much deliberation, Jiang Shuzhou accepted the book and letter of recommendation from the receptionist. The main reason was that the Mage Tower was too intimidating. If he were strong enough, he might be able to give it a try. However, Jiang Shuzhou had just become a formal mage and did not yet have the qualifications to do evil.

After turning right outside the door and walking five or six hundred meters, making several turns, Jiang Shuzhou found the Arbitration Bureau according to the map.

"My lord, what brings you to the arbitration court? If you need my assistance, I will go through fire and water for you."

The guards at the entrance of the arbitration bureau saw Jiang Shuzhou and immediately stopped him. Although their tone was respectful, their bodies blocked Jiang Shuzhou's path.

"I have been recommended to serve as an arbitrator here."

Jiang Shuzhou responded.

"Could you please let me take a look at the letter of recommendation?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shuzhou handed over the letter of recommendation. The guard respectfully accepted it with both hands and immediately began to examine it. He dared not remove the sealing wax stamp used to seal the letter, but after carefully examining it for a while and seeing the markings on the paper, he returned the letter.

"Please understand, sir, this is to prevent unauthorized personnel from barging in and causing trouble."

The guards bowed respectfully to Jiang Shuzhou, then stepped aside to welcome him in.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Sitting in his spacious office, Jiang Shuzhou was filled with emotion. He never expected that he wouldn't be qualified to take the civil service exam in real life, but he would pass it in the game.

Moreover, he became a leader immediately upon landing.

I casually picked up a book from my desk and started reading. It contained work content and key points, almost everything related to work was written in it.

Not long ago, as soon as Jiang Shuzhou entered the arbitration bureau, someone came to greet him, took the letter of recommendation, removed the seal, and verified the authenticity of the letter again. The monk then immediately processed his employment.

After signing the contract, the mage handed over a card engraved with runes and informed Jiang Shuzhou.

"This is a bank card. It can be used with all banks under the Mage Alliance. There are 3100 gold coins in it right now, of which 3000 are bonuses and 100 are today's wages."

After saying that, the monk hurriedly disappeared from Jiang Shuzhou's sight.

Good grief, it's still daily pay? Where did I come from? Is this still in China?

Then a waiter led him to his office.

The whole morning passed just like that. Jiang Shuzhou had a wonderful morning of slacking off and reading the work instructions.

In the afternoon, Jiang Shuzhou was about to take a nap after finishing his meal at the cafeteria, but unfortunately, something unexpected was about to happen.

"Knock knock knock".

The knocking on the door disrupted Jiang Shuzhou's plan to take a nap.

"Please come in."

The door was pushed open, and a guard walked in respectfully.

"Sir, the bureau chief requests your presence."

"Okay, I'll go right away."

Suppressing his dissatisfaction, Jiang Shuzhou responded.

Don't these foreigners take afternoon naps?

Why are you looking for me in the middle of the day?

Despite his inner grumbling, Jiang Shuzhou still mustered his spirits and prepared to meet his superior.

……

Half an hour later, Jiang Shuzhou left the director's office on the third floor.

During that half hour, Master Kailedi, who was also the director, informed him of his general responsibilities, such as each arbitrator being responsible for patrolling a specific area, though not personally.

Arbitrators have subordinates, but Jiang Shuzhou has an exceptionally large number of subordinates. He has five squads under his command, as well as a Tier 1 warrior as his deputy.

His current job is to maintain order in the dock area, once a day.

Since it would be his subordinates who were suffering anyway, Jiang Shuzhou readily agreed, and also promised a 50% raise.

"This is my mage's mark. I will use this to notify you if there are any work arrangements in the future."

After handing over a card and explaining all the work to Jiang Shuzhou, the mage named Kaledi took his leave. It was clear that he had taken time out of his busy schedule to come and handle the work. If Jiang Shuzhou hadn't just arrived, he probably wouldn't have seen this mid-level mage for several months.

Sitting in his office, Jiang Shuzhou opened the spellbook containing the spell "Mage's Mark," intending to learn it that afternoon.

As for patrolling? That's for tomorrow. Nothing to do today, just studying indoors.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Without a doubt, Jiang Shuzhou has firmly established himself in Velisco, but unfortunately, some people haven't been able to do so in reality.

That person was Wang Bowen, Professor Wang.

"Professor, given your lack of cooperation and inaction regarding the Astral Descent mage project, your position as project leader has been revoked. Do you have any objections?"

It was that person again. Professor Wang felt annoyed; the communicator's voice sounded harsh to him.

"No objections, I'll be leaving right away."

The place reeks of idiocy; it's like trying to talk about ice with a summer insect. Professor Wang has nothing to say to these people either.

These days he has successfully gone from 0 to 1, successfully unleashed the Mage's Hand, and then learned a total of three spells.

Professor Wang has done nothing but study magic in the game these past two days; he has delegated all the work to his subordinates.

The authorities became increasingly dissatisfied with Professor Wang's behavior, which ultimately led to this outcome.

This has no impact on Professor Wang whatsoever. Wherever one pursues the truth, is it not the pursuit of the truth?

This is a humble abode, but my virtue makes it fragrant. Even though the laboratory is not simple, the people inside are very simple, and it feels like none of them have developed any intelligence.

Such a simple spell, yet these people have been studying it for so long and still haven't mastered it.

Professor Wang left the laboratory silently, without anyone showing him any concern. He glanced at the laboratory before leaving.

The crowd was talking loudly, but not about how to cast spells. Instead, they were discussing which spell was stronger and which was more cost-effective. Because of the convenience of magic network mages, they only needed to spend money and fight. They never thought about how to learn and apply spells.

They all seemed to be mages, yet none of them were true mages.