Chapter 50

Because of the existence of teleportation magic, in many important places, such as the homes of major nobles, government departments, military command posts, and temples, dimensional restriction arrays are set up to block all spatial teleportation spells.

However, a person like Rob Antelore naturally has the right to have Earl Julian leave a backdoor in the array for him.

The most powerful man in the Far Frost Province, although in a high position, appeared approachable. He nodded at Gorden with a gentle smile and then said to Earl Julian, "If I had come any later, it would have been too late."

"Sir, shouldn't you be enjoying the gentle pleasures of life at the Rainbow Spring Manor? Why did you rush here so early in the morning? What would have been too late..." Although there was a difference in rank, Earl Julian and Duke Rob were clearly old acquaintances and had a good relationship, allowing them to tease each other. However, halfway through his sentence, the mayor's face changed, "Wait, you're not trying to take this young man away, are you! The number of adventurers in Bishui City has been increasing recently, and I'm short of people. I desperately need a capable talent like Baron Freeman to help."

"Your reasons are compelling, old friend," Duke Rob Antelore said with a confident smile, "but I also need a magic assistant to help me with some matters."

"Here we go again! Every year, you take something from me. Last time it was Lady Lisandra, who clearly said..." Earl Julian became agitated, almost revealing his personal affairs, but he managed to stop himself in time.

"Lisandra loves me," Rob said with a proud and satisfied expression.

Although Gorden found it strange to be mentioned alongside two people and a woman, he decided not to get involved in the dispute between the two powerful figures and just observed from the side.

After a while of reminiscing about old times, the conversation finally returned to the main topic. Rob took out a neatly tied contract and handed it to Gorden, "This is my employment document, Baron Freeman. You can take a look. The choice is yours."

The magic assistant position Rob Antelore mentioned was essentially another form of apprentice. However, the traditional master-apprentice relationship among mages was more intimate, with the master having stronger control over the student. The student had to serve the master like a family member, and even beautiful female apprentices—handsome male apprentices if the master had unique tastes—had to satisfy the master's physical needs. In return, the master would almost unreservedly impart all their knowledge and experience to the student.

This magic assistant contract, however, was more of an employment relationship. Gorden would assist Rob Antelore in spell research and handle various tasks. In return, he would gain certain permissions to use the resources of the former legendary mage.

Although the position offered by Earl Julian came with a generous salary and good social status, it was clear that for a mage like Gorden, he preferred to be Rob's magic assistant.

"I'm very sorry, Earl Julian," Gorden bowed slightly, "I am honored by your regard, and the position you offered is very attractive. But as a mage, what I ultimately pursue is the mystery of magic."

"I knew it would be like this," Earl Julian accepted Gorden's reason, "Who can blame him, being the Lord of the North and a former legendary mage."

"Old friend, I'll treat you to a drink next time," Rob Antelore waved his platinum staff, opening another teleportation portal, "Come on, young man."

Just like that? Even if he was starting a new job, he should at least be given some preparation time!

But Gorden knew he couldn't reason with the duke, since he had already signed the contract and the duke was his boss.

Passing through the portal, which felt like a strange, dreamlike sensation, Gorden found himself outside Earl Julian's office, now at the famous Rainbow Spring Manor, the residence of Duke Rob.

"You need to work here for seven days a week, then you can rest for three days. Today, you can familiarize yourself with the environment and take the afternoon to go home and pack your essentials," Rob instructed. He pointed to a man in a luxurious shirt and tight breeches, who was strikingly handsome, and added, "You've already met Dorn. He will be your guide. I have some matters to attend to, but we can get to know each other better later."

As he was leaving, the duke of the empire gave Gorden a playful smile, "You're an interesting young man. And the ring you made is quite impressive."

The newly acquainted Duke Rob turned and left.

High-ranking officials are always busy, and Gorden didn't mind. At least he wasn't just left in an unfamiliar environment and had a familiar face to welcome him.

"Hey, my friend," Dorn Lannister, with his charming smile that could melt any woman's heart, walked up to Gorden and gave him a warm embrace.

"You seem to be in a good mood?"

Dorn smiled proudly, "On the wild night of the Harvest Festival, I and the daughter of the Julian family had the most intimate understanding of each other."

"If you put half the passion you have for women into your arcane studies, I believe your talent would shock the entire continent."

Dorn said nonchalantly, "But I'm very satisfied with my current state. Many people study the arcane just to gain more power, more money, and higher social status to live a better life. I, however, already have everything."

Dorn's attitude could be seen as carefree and easygoing, or as lacking ambition and indulging in pleasure. Gorden, coming from a different background and worldview, had no intention of trying to change his friend's mindset.

Under Dorn's guidance, Gorden toured the Rainbow Spring Manor. The manor was named after a spring that was discovered underground, which produced colorful hot water. It was said that the spring was connected to a strange plane, bringing this magical water to the world.

It was because of the healing properties of the Rainbow Spring water that Duke Rob chose to live here.

The Rainbow Manor covered hundreds of hectares. Besides the private hot spring therapy area, there was a barracks for 300 of the duke's guards, a granary, a water mill, a smokehouse, a bakery, a brewery, and a small pasture. Essentially, the only difference between this place and a small town was that most of the residents were there to serve the Lord of the Staff.

Fortunately, the portal opened by Lord Rob was not far from the central mansion, otherwise, they would have had to take a carriage. As they walked and talked, they soon arrived at a large white building with a Baroque style.

"This is where Uncle Rob and my thirty-seven beautiful aunts live," Dorn introduced. He then pointed to a much more modest, ancient building with a stone wall covered in vines, "You'll probably be staying here. Uncle Rob's laboratory and private library are also inside. Of course, as a magic assistant, you will have your own independent laboratory."

Gorden had no objections to this arrangement, or rather, it suited him just fine.

They chatted for a while by the ornate fountain in front of the mansion when a carriage pulled up and stopped at the gate.

An old mage with a withered face and a long white beard stepped out of the carriage. He wore a blue narrow-sleeved mage robe with a row of golden Nether script embroidered on the chest: Arcane Federation.

The Arcane Federation was the largest magical organization on the continent, with its primary goal being the development and discovery of magical knowledge, and its secondary goal being to provide support and assistance to its members. The Mage Guild was a subordinate organization under the Arcane Federation.

However, unlike the Mage Guild, the Arcane Federation had a strict hierarchy and organization, and the entry requirements were much higher. Unlike the Mage Guild, where one could join by paying some gold, joining the Arcane Federation required significant qualifications.

Gorden remembered that in "The Ancient Era," there was also an organization called the Arcane Federation, and there was an advanced mage class called "Arcane Federation Mage," or simply "Federation Mage."

Compared to the general eight schools of specialization mages, Federation Mages were a more powerful class.

Arcane Federation Mages could connect to the mana pool at the federation's headquarters through a special method. Then, they could use a payment method to extract any known spell from the mana pool and store it in the corresponding blank spell slot.

Since the mana pool contained many spells, this greatly increased the adaptability of Federation Mages. As long as they had blank spell slots, they could select the spells they needed from the mana pool at any time, making them much more flexible in dealing with unexpected situations and avoiding the awkward situation of having prepared spells that were not useful.

Seeing the old mage get out of the carriage, Dorn immediately bowed, "Hello, Mr. Dumic."

Although Gorden didn't know him, he followed Dorn's lead and greeted him.

The old mage, known as Dumic, nodded, "Hello, Lord Lannister." Then, he looked at Gorden with a cold, distant gaze, "You are Gorden Freeman? I don't know why Rob chose you, a mere second-circle mage, to be his magic assistant. But I hope you don't disappoint me."

"As you wish, I will do my best," Gorden replied, sensing a hint of dissatisfaction and coldness in Dumic's tone.

"Good luck," Dumic said, then walked into the mansion alone.

"He seems a bit unfriendly. Do you know why?" Gorden asked Dorn.

Dorn shrugged, "Uland Dumic is the chief mage under Uncle Rob, managing the battlefield mage corps. He is one of the Lord of the Staff's right-hand men. This powerful figure wanted to secure a magic assistant position for his nephew, but it was taken by you."

"Please don't use the word 'taken.' You should know that it was Lord Rob who invited me," Gorden corrected.

"To Dumic, it makes no difference. Only the most outstanding young mages can serve as Uncle Rob's magic assistant. Being in that position means your talent is recognized by the Lord of the Staff—a former legendary mage and orc slayer. This is something that can make people very envious."