Wizard: Starting from the Skill Tree

Duke glanced at it and didn’t think much.

Vera’s gatherings have happened many times.

The students from the West Coast occasionally gather to chat about recent developments and exchange information, not really formal socializing but more like a loose small circle.

He responded with a single word: "Alright."

At seven in the evening, Duke promptly pushed open the banquet hall door.

Following the room number Vera had given, he entered; it was a small room.

In the center of the room was a round table, covered with a white tablecloth, and two silver candlesticks held slender flames.

Two sets of tableware, two glasses of red wine, a basket of bread, a pot of soup, and a few delicate side dishes.

The candlelight reflected fine flecks off the silverware, enveloping the room in a warm orange glow.

Unlike previous gatherings, this time there was no one else.

Duke’s gaze fell on Vera.

Tonight, she wore a dark green velvet dress, with a lower neckline than usual, revealing a fair collarbone and shoulder line.

The dress was cinched at the waist, accentuating her graceful figure, the hem reaching the knee, beneath which were slender legs wrapped in black stockings, finishing with thin-heeled black high heels.

Vera’s long hair, instead of being tied into a neat ponytail as usual, was loosely draped over her shoulders, with few strands slightly curled beside her ear.

Her face had light makeup, with brows softer than usual, lips a subtle rose red, and lashes casting a small fan-shaped shadow in the candlelight.

Duke had never seen her dressed like this.

In class, in battle, at West Coast gatherings, Vera was always in a white Magic Robe, cool, restrained, keeping people at arm’s length.

Yet now, in the candlelight, she seemed like someone else.

"Just the two of us?" Duke asked.

Vera set down her wine glass, her lips slightly curved.

The smile was entirely different from her usual cool demeanor, like a fine crack in ice, revealing a barely perceptible warmth.

"What? Can’t I invite you to dinner alone?"

Duke paused, then smiled.

The smile was subtle but softer than his usual expressionless look.

He walked to the opposite side of the round table, pulled out a chair, and sat down, not touching the wine glass, just looking at her.

Vera didn’t mind, picking up a spoon and leisurely taking a spoonful of soup.

"Regarding the third layer of the assessment, I’ve never had the chance to properly thank you." Her voice was light, candlelight flickering in her eyes, "If it weren’t for you, my injuries might have been much worse."

Duke spoke, "Didn’t you help me too?"

Vera chuckled softly.

"That’s a different matter—you saved my life." She put down the spoon and picked up her wine glass, looking at Duke, "This meal is a formal thank you. Though simple, the sentiment is genuine."

Duke raised his glass and clinked it lightly with hers.

"No need to be so formal."

Both took a sip each, the wine entering smoothly, with a hint of fruitiness, the type Duke had imbibed more than a few glasses of at West Coast banquets.

Vera set her glass down and her gaze lingered on his face for a moment.

"Do you remember that taste?"

"I remember," Duke said.

Vera smiled and didn’t pursue the topic further.

She picked up the bread, broke off a small piece, and slowly chewed.

The candlelight cast a gentle shadow over her face, melting away the usual chill and sharpness.

The room fell quiet, with only the occasional crackle of candle flames.

After a while, Vera set the bread down and gently wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin, her demeanor gradually becoming more serious.

"There’s something I want to discuss with you," her tone more formal than before, "Thorn Holy Tower heard about your Automatic Meditation Magic Potion and is very interested. My teacher asked me to see if there’s any possibility of collaboration."

Naturally, Vera’s teacher referred to the head of Thorn Holy Tower, Thorn Flower Dele.

Duke didn’t immediately answer; he picked up his wine glass again, took a sip, and looked at the candle flame as if pondering something.

"Thorn Holy Tower has strong channels on the West Coast, and good ones on the East Coast," Vera continued, "If you want to promote the Automatic Meditation Magic Potion to those areas, Thorn Holy Tower is the best partner."

Duke put down the glass and looked at her.

"For the commercialization plan of Automatic Meditation, I intend to use a zonal licensing approach. Different regions, licensed to different partners. Thorn Holy Tower can come to the demonstration meeting for negotiations if they wish to participate."

Vera slightly nodded, not pressing for more information or seeking additional claims.

She simply picked up the wine glass again, lightly swirling it, watching the wine reflect specks of light in the candlelight.

"Alright, I’ll let my teacher know." Her tone returned to its previous calmness, as if discussing a matter already settled.

The room fell silent once more.

Candlelight flickered, casting their shadows on the wall, occasionally drawing closer, occasionally further apart.

Outside, the glow of Sky City shifted from warm gold to silver blue, as night deepened.

Vera no longer spoke of business, occasionally chatting, occasionally clinking glasses, but mostly just sitting quietly, looking out at the nocturnal view.

After the dinner, they left the banquet hall.

Duke watched Vera depart, her dark green dress gradually blending into the night under the moonlight, only her legs wrapped in black stockings lingering in view for a moment.

This time, beyond expressing gratitude, Vera’s invitation was primarily about the Automatic Meditation Magic Potion.

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