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Chapter 502: Privileges for Professionals
Matthew's response to the "greeting" from the Goddess of Magic was simple.
He checked his attribute panel, performed some mental and willpower self-tests, and confirmed that there were no issues.
He began arranging for Orianna and Victor to head to the Lord's Manor.
Matthew could understand and handle Victor's situation.
However, Orianna, this young girl who was supposed to have died early, seemed far from ordinary.
[Orianna]
Age: 6 years old.
Race: Human
Profession: Level 1 Arcanist.
Talent: Transcendent - Heart of Mechanics LV1. Constitution -5, Max HP +10, Charisma +10, Learning Mechanical Knowledge Speed +100%, Mechanical Modification Check +10, Mechanical Creation Effect +10%.
Expertise:
Transcendent - Arcane Affinity LV1. Arcane learning speed +100%, Arcane casting cost reduced by 20%, Arcane effects increased by 20%.
Advanced - Mechanical Mastery.
Intermediate - Mechanical Modification.
Heritage: None
Attributes:
Strength: 4
Agility: 6
Constitution: 1 → 6
Intelligence: 8 → 14
Perception: 10
Charisma: 21 → 23
HP: 24/24
Luck: +4
Evaluation: The Goddess watches over you.
A 6-year-old Arcanist.
Newly added Transcendent Expertise - Arcane Affinity.
Constitution increased by 5 points, Intelligence increased by 6 points.
Luck reversed by 9 points.
And she's caught the attention of the Goddess of Magic.
Great!
Orianna definitely isn't Victor's biological daughter; she's probably the Goddess's child.
The thought of the Goddess forcibly converting this prodigy of sorcery into an Arcanist left Matthew with mixed emotions.
Indeed, fate could be altered under absolute power.
The power of fate is an indirect yet absolute force.
It isn't direct but rather has a cunning quality to it.
This made Matthew grow more vigilant, reminding himself not to become obsessed with "manipulating" fate; only by continuously improving himself could he secure his future.
The pressure Matthew placed on himself had temporarily slowed his progress in Arcanist levels.
However, this situation would change once he reached high-tier Arcanist and underwent the tempering of the Arcane Fire.
It wasn't far off.
In the specially designed defensive space carriage of Bay Territory, Victor held his sleeping daughter, who now wore a sweet smile, finally able to rest peacefully.
The weight on Victor's heart gradually lifted.
Reflecting on this dreamlike experience, he glanced at Ralph, who smiled silently beside him.
Before Victor could speak, Ralph, having already been briefed on Victor's importance by Matthew, carefully cast a soundproof barrier to avoid waking the sleeping Orianna. Then, in a gentle tone, he said:
"Mr. Victor, the Lord has already instructed me to welcome you to Bay Territory. With top-tier talents like you, our territory will only grow stronger."
"To better care for Orianna, we will wait until she is fully recovered before assigning you work."
"Of course, you'll only need to occasionally inspect our factory construction and provide some improvement suggestions and requirements..."
Recalling the miraculous scene earlier, Victor was keenly aware of the enormous price that must have been paid.
When Victor had repeatedly begged the Goddess Church's priests to save his daughter...
He had deeply understood that even faith in the goddess required a transaction to save lives.
He remembered the despairing gazes of many commoners denied treatment.
Thus, Victor had worked tirelessly, silently agreeing to ever-increasing demands, no matter the price.
Now, with Bay Territory having paid such a high price, Victor was certain they would demand a return.
He was ready to work himself to death.
Yet, it seemed Bay Territory had no intention of overburdening him with work?
Before Victor could make sense of it, the carriage came to a stop.
Ralph led them out, pointing to a three-story villa occupying 880 square meters. Under Victor's astonished gaze, Ralph said:
"This is your residence. Every transcendent-level professional in the territory has permanent residency rights."
While speaking, Ralph opened the door, and Victor followed in a daze.
Ralph handed him the keys and granted him full access to the house's magical arrays, work golems, and mana pathways.
"Inside, you'll find food, clothing, and other supplies. Outside, there are two guards. If you need anything, you can notify them."
"Since you haven't officially started working, your monthly stipend will temporarily be 2,000 gold coins..."
Dazed, Victor watched Ralph's departing figure and instinctively closed the door.
He carried his sleeping daughter to the bedroom, carefully laying her on the soft bed with its silk-woven bedding.
Orianna seemed to love it, a small smile curving her lips, calming Victor's anxious heart.
He left the bedroom door open—a habit from the past.
Entering the brightly lit living room, he examined the furniture.
It wasn't luxurious but had everything he needed.
On the rosewood table lay a thick stack of Bay Territory documents.
Unable to sleep, Victor pulled out a chair and sat down, opening the topmost Bay Territory Resident Handbook.
In a field of endless wheat, Matthew stood quietly in his Arcanist robes, holding Yaya, who was gnawing on a chicken leg.
Before him, Bay Territory's troops marched in neat formation, accompanied by the laughter and cheers of the townsfolk.
Below, a statement was written in Eastern, Common, Imperial, Elven, and Dwarvish:
"Defend the territory, protect the homeland!"
Victor froze, a strange feeling welling up within him. From this vivid illustration, it seemed that everyone was united.
It felt as though they were calling him to join them.
On the next page, Bay Territory's history was documented.
From its founding as an imperial frontier...
Through nearly a century of hardship and perseverance...
To Matthew's arrival in Bay Territory.
Since then, Bay Territory had embarked on an era of expansion and progress!
That night, Victor didn't sleep.
August 28.
Sevinton.
Light rain.
Drizzling raindrops shrouded the city in a misty haze.
Flashes of lightning disappeared into the towering mage towers.
There were few pedestrians on the streets. Most crowded into bars or street corner shelters.
They chatted about anything and everything—the empire's current affairs and, above all, the outcome of the latest meeting.
In Sevinton, who wouldn't want to keep an eye on national matters?
Elio withdrew her gaze from the crowd and quickly headed toward the teleportation tower.
She needed to report to the Lord as soon as possible.
The ones who had been monitoring Victor were none other than Bay Territory's acquaintances—the Pfizer Merchant Guild.