183 Consideration (2/2)

Outside of the window, the bleak fields in November and the small villages along the railway were passing backwards very fast.

When Lucien was about to ask, two young girls came into the carriage with a dining pushcart, followed by several violin players.

In the wonderful music, the two girls put steaks, grilled fish, caviar and foie gras on their plates.

Lucien unfolded his napkin on his lap and then cut a piece of steak. The steak was very juicy and well-cooked.

Lucien nodded out of satisfaction, ”Very professional.”

”I know, right? I've been looking forward to the nice cuisine in the Kingdom of Syracuse for a long time. Unfortunately, I'm still not a middle-rank mage, and I cannot fly over Storm Strait to try the food there,” said Lazar while cutting the fried foie gras in his plate. ”I also appreciate Aalto's music a lot as well. You know, the young musician who you share the same name with, Lucien Evans… He has been gaining much popularity in a very short period of time.”

Then Lucien started introducing the many cuisines in different countries to Lazar. When Lazar got very excited, he also told Lucien many things about the congress.

”Lazar, how can I obtain arcana credit?” asked Lucien, ”I really want to start my arcana path.”

Because Lucien knew that, in other people's eyes, he was only a beginner in arcana, he was planning on studying in the congress first for a while and then seizing a chance to compose and publish his own paper. However, from what Lazar told him, Lucien realized that having a certain level in arcana could bring him many benefits.

In addition, in the past one month, by using Brook Meditation, Lucien was ready to move forward to a higher sorcerer level, second circle.

”You know, Evans, there's an old saying, 'The more impatient a person is, the harder it is for the person to get to the destination'.” Lazar wiped his mouth with the white napkin, ”But I do understand, Evans, after all, gaining arcana credit is more than important to every sorcerer in the congress.”

Lucien sat straight to listen carefully.

”Arcana Review Board is the organization taking charge of arcana credit awarding, belonging to the highest council in the congress, and it consists of fifty-two authorities from all of the schools. These sorcerers are at least level six arcanists.”

”There are only fifty something level six arcanists?” Lucien felt quite surprised.

”Authorities, I said authorities.” Lazar shook his head, ”It depends on different fields. Some arcanists do have very impressive accomplishment and they… well, they live long enough to have a high level, but in the fields they specialize in, if there are sorcerers who are even more competitive than them, they still cannot be members of the board. However, for some sorcerers, although their arcana level is not that high, because they are experts in their own less popular or new fields, they can be regarded as authorities.”

”I see. I also heard from Mr. Astar that if one's arcana research outcome is cited by someone else, the person can also get arcana credits?” asked Lucien.

After asking the attendants to take away the plates, Lazar answered, ”That's right. One credit for one citation. However, whether it can bring you more credits also depends on how important your research outcome is, and Arcana Review Board is still responsible for the judgement.”

”Then what about me coming up with a new spell or improving an existing magic?” Lucien needed to understand this as much as possible.

”You can only be awarded once for that, unless your creation or improvement inspired someone else and thus that person develops a new article based on that, and in that case, you can get extra credits. Otherwise, if someone wants to learn your magic, the person only needs to pay you arcana points. For example, so far my Lazar's Burning Hand has been learned by thirty sorcerers, and that's thirty arcana points.”

”That seems to be a lot of work for the sorcerers of the board.” Lucien gently grabbed his chin.

”Oh… That's really true. In fact, in most cases, since they are very busy, these sorcerers usually don't deal with reviewing most of the arcana and magic spells submitted, but let their students or other qualified arcanists working for different journals to make the judgement. Sometimes, there are mistakes and some sorcerers don't get their points immediately, but the deficiencies can always get fixed sooner of later. For you, Evans, the best way to get some arcana points is to submit some unique spells from the ancient magic system. If no one before you ever have submitted it, you can get the corresponding points.”

”I see.” Lucien slightly nodded, ”The congress is encouraging the exchanging of knowledge among sorcerers.”

Without doubt, all the sorcerers valued their own magic spells greatly. If there was no reward, no one would like to submit and publish one's own creation.

Then what about Lucien?

Should he submit his spells to get the points?