Chapter 13: Boss Duke

Saturday.

Duke chose to take a day off; he had four days off every month at Little Sam's card repair shop.

The reason for his day off today was that the Arcane Society had an open class, a public lecture for all spiritual apprentices. The keynote speaker for the public class was Modis Black Serpent, a 1-ring arcanist from the Black Serpent Family.

"Modis Black Serpent is a young elder of the Black Serpent Family and a strong contender for the next High Priest." Old Sam walked with Duke on their way to the class.

Old Sam had been a spiritual apprentice for many years, but he never missed any of the open classes held by the Arcane Society.

Duke asked, "Does it matter for us spiritual apprentices to attend lectures by arcanists?"

An arcanist is a type of arcane mage.

Spiritual magic encompasses the universe. All practitioners who have successfully cultivated their Sea of Spirit are known as arcane mages. Depending on their focus in practice, arcane mages are divided into two major categories: arcanists and arcane scholars.

Arcanists study powerful arcane spells for combat, wielding destructive power.

Arcane scholars study the secrets of magic to create spiritual cards, potions, puppets, and more. Different directions of study have different titles, such as card crafting scholars, potion scholars, puppet scholars, and so on.

"Why wouldn't it matter? Little Duke, both arcanists and arcane scholars are pioneers in the realm of spiritual magic. Their experiences can benefit you and me immensely. Even if you and I never advance to the 1-ring level, never solidify spell models or release arcane spells, listening to them will always be beneficial!"

"I understand."

"As long as you understand. Don't miss any open classes in the future, especially when 1-ring arcanists are giving lectures. They are formidable individuals with the Black Serpent surname, and opportunities to be taught by them are rare!" Old Sam's face was filled with anticipation.

The Black Serpent Family was a noble family, a rising baronial nobility.

Following noble customs, one could only adopt a noble surname after reaching the 1-ring level among the Three Seas of cultivation. Otherwise, one would have a common name. The noble surname of the Black Serpent Family was naturally "Black Serpent."

"Hey, Old Sam, you've arrived." A middle-aged man waved.

"Of course, I had to come. It's Lord Modis himself giving the lecture." Old Sam exchanged greetings with the man. "Winster, how's business been lately? Making a fortune?"

"If I could make a fortune, I would have already." Winster glanced at Duke. "Who's this?"

"Haha, he's a spiritual apprentice I nurtured at my shop. He's learning card crafting with me." Old Sam spoke with a touch of pride. Producing a spiritual apprentice isn't something everyone can do; there might not be even one among thousands.

It was quite an honor for Little Sam's card repair shop to produce a spiritual apprentice.

They walked into the Arcane Society together.

Hundreds of spiritual apprentices had gathered, nearly filling the society's largest auditorium. Familiar faces sat together, chatting animatedly, creating a lively atmosphere.

Duke found a seat next to Old Sam.

As a newcomer, he looked around the grand auditorium. There weren't many young people like him.

People who had to use Qi-Boosting Potions to open their Sea of Spirit were already quite rare. Those who could open it naturally were either descendants of major families or secretly cultivated geniuses, not needing to attend public classes.

The public class was meant for ordinary spiritual apprentices.

"Modis Teacher will be here soon. Everyone, please be quiet!" The president of the Arcane Society, who personally hosted the open class, maintained order in the auditorium.

After a while.

A man in his mid-thirties, wearing a black robe, entered the auditorium amidst the crowd and stepped onto the podium.

With a warm smile, he spoke in a gentle voice, "I'm sure most of you know who I am, so I won't waste time introducing myself. In today's class, I will explain the relationship between the structure of rings and spirituality."

Modis got straight to the point.

He spoke eloquently, starting with the structure of rings, then weaving in the spiritual magic system. His lecture was informative and inspiring.

Duke couldn't comprehend many parts.

But that didn't matter; Xiaoyi recorded the entire lecture, making it part of its database.

Unconsciously, the two-hour public class came to an end. Modis didn't leave time for questions; he departed the auditorium amidst the crowd.

The attending spiritual apprentices left in groups of twos and threes.

After exchanging greetings with friends, Old Sam called out to Duke to walk back together.

"Little Duke, how was the lecture today?"

"To be honest, I didn't understand much."

"Haha, not understanding is normal. Arcane mages have a different level of understanding compared to us spiritual apprentices. You've just stepped into the Sea of Spirit; you'll gradually grasp it."

As they reached the intersection of Second Street, Duke prepared to bid farewell.

But Old Sam suddenly said, "Don't rush, Little Duke."

"What's the matter?"

"Are you interested in taking over Little Sam's card repair shop?"

"Huh?"

Duke was taken aback.

Old Sam took out a pack of cigarettes, lit one silently, and gazed ahead, where the prominent sign of Little Sam's card repair shop was visible.

"If things don't change, I'm planning to move to Chenjiao City. I found a big buyer for the Continuous Coating Supply Technique I bought from you. I earned more money than I could with a lifetime of running Little Sam's card repair shop." Old Sam blew a smoke ring. "But I only paid you 10 Gold Dragons for it, which is too little."

Duke couldn't guess how much Old Sam earned from selling it.

He might naturally feel envious, but soon he felt at ease and earnestly replied, "Boss, we made a fair contract. I received the much-needed 10 Gold Dragons, which is enough for me. Your profits from reselling are your own skill, and it has nothing to do with me. So, there's no need to feel indebted to me... I'm grateful for the job you gave me years ago."

"You're a grateful young man. However, I've made up my mind. I'm giving Little Sam's card repair shop to you."

"You really don't have to..."

"Listen, Little Duke, I've earned more than enough from you. Compared to that, Little Sam's card repair shop is insignificant. And I don't want to hastily sell it. After all, it holds dreams and livelihoods from my youth to now, supported my family, and even raised my children to the city."

Old Sam said with deep emotions, "Now I want to find a suitable owner for it. I believe you, Little Duke, are the right candidate. So, accepting Little Sam's card repair shop is like providing a sponsorship for your future as a scholar... Also, I have one request: don't change the name of the shop."

"This..." Duke wasn't one to be overly sentimental, and since Old Sam put it this way, he had no reason to refuse. "Then I accept."

"That's right, Boss Duke."

Old Sam took Duke straight to Little Sam's card repair shop. Inside, there were three card crafters, Bob, three apprentice workers, one of whom was newly recruited.

"Everyone, pause for a moment. Listen to me," Old Sam clapped his hands.

Everyone put down their work and gathered around the counter.

Old Sam glanced at the old comrades and slowly said, "I'm planning to retire. My children are all in Chenjiao City, and my wife is helping take care of my grandson over there. So, I've thought it over and decided to transfer Little Sam's card repair shop to Duke... Don't be surprised. Duke has a sharp mind and has opened his Sea of Spirit. I believe he'll run Little Sam's card repair shop well."

As soon as he finished speaking, Bast, the card crafter, exclaimed, "Old Sam, have you lost your mind? What money does Little Duke have to take over your shop?"