One person, one book, one gas lamp, one night, one miracle.
Ethan seemed to return to the days of burning the midnight oil in his previous life. By the time he finished reading the whole book, his eyes were already getting a bit sore. The book was highly professional, and it was almost entirely summary text with pitifully few real-world examples. What's more, it discussed a field entirely unfamiliar to him, and a slight lapse in attention would make him unable to keep up, forcing him to flip back a few pages to reread it.
No pain, no gain.
He couldn't help but admire Mr. Anonymous, who wrote "Magic of Fireball and Ice Arrow," for being able to summarize the profound art of Elemental Shaping to a degree even a layperson with no magic background could understand.
But fortunately, Ethan came from the fill-in-the-blank style of education and was once a standout in this field. He looked over the learning trends of the Empire and believed no one understood devouring books better than he did.
If it were someone else, they might have given up long ago, but Ethan was different. He wouldn't sleep unless he finished devouring this book.
That's the calm of a strong person who dares to leave winter vacation homework until the last three days.
Finally, perseverance paid off. When he closed the book, the proficiency bar had added a new skill.
'Elemental Cartography (Beginner): Proficiency: 1/45'
Ethan laid out the energizing parchment neatly on the table, then propped his left hand against his face and covered his tired, swollen eyes. Although he eventually learned the craft of elemental cartography, he still had to say that the craftsmen invited by the Imperial Capital June Flower Publishing House couldn't speak plainly. They almost had no ability to summarize, could infinitely complicate a simple issue, eventually making it incomprehensible for non-professionals.
No wonder these days, people generally believe that without personally becoming an apprentice, it's impossible to learn a craft.
The teaching level is really poor.
The 6th Era, 171 years, Ximu Town scholar Ethan made the above criticisms about the current educational environment in the Imperial Capital.
In reality, elemental cartography is far from as profound as the book described. Essentially, it tests the cartographer's control over their own magic power. To put it more simply, it's about drawing an ice arrow on energizing parchment using magic power to complete a magic scroll.
This isn't difficult at all.
Ethan could not only draw an ice arrow on the energizing parchment but could also change its form, simulating it into other forms.
He could hardly imagine how these so-called master craftsmen associated such simple principles with meditation, spirit, and perception—the most unrelated things.
If Mr. Anonymous had written this book, he would have mastered the craft hours ago.
He could feel that Mr. Anonymous was an educator with advanced thinking. If possible, he hoped to meet with him.
Luckily, it's not too late, and if all goes well, he could craft twenty ice arrow magic scrolls before dawn and then sell them all at Fireplace Bay, completing the first batch of orders for the Old Sen Magic Scroll Shop.
On the foundation of the ice arrow, he planned to fully utilize the characteristics of level 2 proficiency to create some pieces unique to the Old Sen Magic Scroll Shop's style. How about combining three ice arrow scrolls into one powerful ice arrow? By the way, a hailstorm for burying Miss Becky and the seven old butlers could also be included in the production process.
He also had a strategic partner in mind. There's a magic scroll shop on the first merchant ship near the port at Fireplace Bay, with each scroll costing 50 silver antelopes, and he priced them at 1.5 gold lions. After all, it's a beginner spell, the quotes shouldn't be too high, and the point is to maintain a long-term flow.
In this way, he could avoid the cost of setting up a stall on the merchant ship.
The revenue from the first batch of magic scrolls would be 30 gold lions, subtracting the 4 gold lions and 50 silver antelopes he still owed Ave...
Just one transaction and he could earn back the money he spent on the book!
Ethan felt greatly encouraged. Business related to mysticism is indeed one of the quickest ways to make money; he could see the gate to wealth opening to him.
To this, the owner of the "Mage's Magic Scroll Shop" with seven years of experience in selling magic scrolls made this remark:
"Why the hell don't you just go rob?"
When Ethan, holding twenty ice arrow scrolls, excitedly expressed his intentions in front of this old gentleman, he was so shocked that his cigarette fell from his mouth to the ground. "Selling an ice arrow scroll for 1 gold lion and 50 silver antelopes, are you crazy?"
This unexpected scene left Ethan a bit stunned. Instinctively, he glanced at the shelves full of magic scrolls in the shop, "But this is an ice arrow scroll."
The old gentleman couldn't be bothered to explain, "Basic Elemental Shaping scrolls are on the third shelf. See for yourself."
Ethan hurried over in a few strides.
The prominent sign beside the shelf read, "Beginner Elemental Shaping Magic, crafted by Masters, a masterpiece, priced at 60 silver antelopes each."
A bolt of lightning struck through Ethan's mind, this sudden blow left him cold from head to toe. As a novice at setting up shop for the first time, he realized he paid a heavy price for being young and naive. He had heard that magic scrolls were profitable, so he blindly plunged into the business, completely neglecting market research!
This was a miscalculation on his part.
But...
Why don't you just give it away for free?
He thought to retort in his heart to the magic scroll shop owner, knowing that the cost of an energizing parchment piece alone was 50 silver antelopes.
He couldn't help but take a closer look at the notice board.
It really was a giveaway.
Buy 10, get 1 free.
When he returned to the counter, the owner had already hung up a "Closed for Business" sign, and an additional line on the notice board beside the counter read "We do not repurchase beginner elemental shaping magic items."
"But my ice arrow scroll is designed in a way that using three at once gives a little surprise; it works better in rainy weather or watery places."
"I don't care about this or that. All the scrolls on the shelf are crafted by academy teachers, textbook-level magic scrolls, and they don't sell at all!"
The owner impatiently waved a hand, "The era of the Elemental Shaper is long gone. If I have the money, why not buy a gun? What are these one-time magic scrolls for? If you really want to make money with magic scrolls, go learn some skills that others don't have."
The last road was also blocked. It seemed he couldn't even receive a minimal 10 silver antelope assistance.
But Ethan didn't understand.
Guns and gunpowder are certainly good, but elemental shaping magic isn't as bad as the owner made it sound, right?
He'd witnessed the power of an ice arrow; compared to modern anti-materiel sniper rifles, it was not inferior. Far beyond the era's firearms, the only problem was that magic scrolls are single-use; you need to buy a new one after using it.
But with guns, didn't you also have to consume bullets?
Ethan walked out of the magic scroll shop in a daze. In his original plan, he should now have 30 gold lions in his pocket, not holding unsold ice arrow magic scrolls.
Could it be that the Old Sen Magic Scroll Shop will sink before it even sets sail?
He thought of the all-out stake he made with his last resources yesterday; now he's still 4.5 gold lions in debt. Come to think of it, this seems to be a kind of all-in in some sense.
A sea breeze blew by, bringing with it the salty, fishy smell of the ocean.
So cold.
"Elemental Shaper, please stop."
Suddenly, someone called out to Ethan, someone chased him out from the magic scroll shop. The voice was somewhat familiar, and despite the masquerade mask, the golden lion's hue on the person made him easily recognizable.
It was the Pure Love Nobleman.
The nobleman placed his hand on his shoulder, "I heard you say just now that using three ice arrows together gives a little surprise. Could you explain it to me in detail?"