Wizard: Starting from the Skill Tree-Chapter 358: Caroline’s Invitation

Chapter 358: Chapter 358: Caroline’s Invitation
Duke glanced over and saw many topics related to Crystalized Wizards: "Path of Crystallization: The Critical Point of Spiritual Power Compression," "Stable Crystal Core: Meditation Adjustment for Beginners in the Crystalization Realm," "Common Bottlenecks of Crystalized Wizards (Volume One)," "From Liquidation to Crystalization: Detailed Explanation of Crystal Core Cohesion"...
The knowledge about advancing to a Crystalized Wizard was abundant, but none of it came cheap, requiring at least fifty-six Arcane Master points.
For Duke, advancing to a Crystalized Wizard was quite troublesome and unlike any other wizards before him.
He needed to use six different attribute Crystal Cores to condense the Crystal Core, something no one had done before.
Due to his Skill Tree, Duke possessed six kinds of talents, enabling him to reach this theoretical limit.
However, the actual difficulty was still high, so he needed to thoroughly study various past materials and prepare accordingly based on his own situation.
After exchanging for the Cyan Mist Core, Duke roughly browsed through the knowledge categories, then withdrew his thoughts.
The starry sea before him receded like the tide, and the guiding light path beneath his feet dimmed and disappeared. The enormous door engraved with complex runes reappeared at the center of his vision.
"Exit," Duke silently chanted.
The door swung inward soundlessly, and soft light seeped through the doorway.
Stepping forward, Duke left as the door gently closed behind him, sealing off the grand vision of the energy star sea as if it never existed.
Outside, Caroline was still quietly waiting there. Upon seeing Duke emerge, she smiled, "Finished the exchange, Mr. Duke?"
Duke nodded: "Yes, we can leave now."
Caroline then led Duke away. There were many checkpoints along the way, requiring Caroline’s clearance to pass. This was why she waited outside all along.
As they walked, Duke inquired, "I would like to know how to submit my research findings to the association for exchange by other Arcane Masters and earn points?"
"That’s simple; I can help you apply. Someone will assess the value of your findings and offer a price. If you agree with the price, your findings will be available to other Arcane Masters," Caroline explained, walking ahead, intentionally reminding, "However, note that if your research already has a partnership with other forces, be mindful of restrictive clauses to avoid unnecessary disputes."
Duke was aware of this; his cooperation terms with the Giant Rock Commerce Association included such stipulations.
This was also to prevent others from acquiring these research outcomes and impacting the Giant Rock Commerce Association’s business.
Naturally, Duke would not do that, as it would also harm his own interests.
Once Caroline led Duke out, he had her guide him to a specific counter to process a series of formalities for submitting the pricing procedure for his Improved Concentrated Potion plan.
This process usually took several days, with more complex research findings requiring even more time.
Duke didn’t stay long and left the Arcane Master Association under Caroline’s guidance.
Caroline escorted Duke to the grand, subtly glowing gate of the Arcane Master Association. The afternoon sunlight shone on the polished stone steps and the uniquely salty air of Harbor City, contrasting sharply with the concentrated, solemn atmosphere inside the association.
"Mr. Duke, take care. The pricing evaluation results for the Concentrated Potion are typically communicated within three to five working days." Caroline stood at the entrance, her face showing a standard professional smile, her voice clear and pleasant.
"Alright, thank you," Duke nodded, preparing to leave.
At this moment, Caroline seemed to hesitate slightly, her bright eyes lingering on Duke for a moment. She then took a light step forward, her heels making a faint click on the stone steps.
Her form-fitting, same-colored skirt wrapped perfectly around her hips, with the hem stopping just above her knees, outlining a smooth and sexy curve.
Extended from beneath the skirt were long legs completely covered by fine black stockings, their straight lines glistening softly in the afternoon light.
Caroline slightly turned, accentuating her already outstanding figure.
Her professionally smiled face subtly lost some formality, replaced by a more gentle, perhaps even hinting at anticipation.
"Mr. Duke," her voice softened, carrying a familiar tone, "It’s almost dinner time, and I know a few excellent restaurants in Harbor City, very quiet with distinctive dishes. If you have no other plans... perhaps I could invite you to dinner? I also have some research in Magic Potion, facing some issues recently. Could you possibly visit my home afterwards to provide some guidance?"
Duke’s gaze calmly swept across Caroline’s radiant face, pausing momentarily on the uniform that highlighted alluring curves.
There was no denying she was a very beautiful and charming woman.
Duke roughly understood Caroline’s intentions. Caroline wasn’t a well-connected wizard; she merely earned some magic stones through her work at the Arcane Master Association.
Caroline herself was a Level 1 Gaseous Mage, naturally needing many resources to continue advancing.
For such lone wizards, cultivation was extremely difficult, and the little salary from the Arcane Master Association was far from sufficient.
Caroline had been in contact with Duke for a while, understanding him in various aspects, knowing he was a wizard with great potential and connections.
She didn’t realize that Duke and Grace weren’t deeply connected, merely acquaintances.
But just the Black Sail Third Legion background was enough to spark Caroline’s interest; if she became Duke’s woman, acquiring resources would be much easier.
Duke understood all this but decided not to accept Caroline’s invitation.
Because Caroline was different from Yala and Nina; Yala and Nina were merely slaves, completely belonging to him once purchased.
But Caroline was different. Caroline surely wouldn’t want a slave status, only accepting an equal wife or concubine relationship, even as a concubine if not a wife.
These were entirely different concepts; Duke wouldn’t accept a woman he didn’t quite know.
He also couldn’t offer Caroline a Slave Contract, leading to constant hidden risks.
Moreover, Caroline approached Duke for her gain, which also meant there could come a day when she’d leave Duke for her interests, or even betray him; this was quite common.
"Thank you very much for your help and invitation, Miss Caroline, but I have important matters to attend to, so I won’t be able to join you for dinner. Perhaps next time, I’ll treat you to apologize." Duke said, very courteously.