Wizard: Starting from the Skill Tree

Although Vera didn’t mention much, just the mention was enough; inviting Duke alone also indicated Vera’s emphasis.

As for the decision, Vera was certain that Duke would not disappoint her.

After all, compared to those strangers, Vera and the Thorn Holy Tower were relatively familiar and reliable partners.

As for romantic feelings, Duke didn’t think much of it, even if Vera had a slight interest in him, it was just a slight interest.

For someone as extremely rational as Vera, romantic feelings weren’t really that important.

...

On the day of the presentation, the conference hall of Zone 7 was bustling like never before.

Even before dawn, people began arriving one after another.

The first to arrive were representatives of small and medium-sized powers, who didn’t dare to cut it too close, fearing they might miss something.

Next came the stewards of various commerce associations, each dressed in exquisite attire, appearing calm, holding briefcases filled with all kinds of documents and contracts.

Then came representatives from various wizard organizations, some wearing formal magic robes, others in light armor for ease of movement, and some even brought attendants and guards.

By morning, the square outside the conference hall was already bustling.

Different colored magic robes intertwined under the sunlight, creating a dazzling sea, as the sounds of conversations, footsteps, and occasional magical communication prompts blended into a chaotic yet orderly scene.

Arcane Master Association staff moved through the crowd, guiding guests to enter, distributing badges, and answering various questions.

Occasionally, acquaintances met in the crowd, exchanged brief greetings, shared some information, and then each took their seats.

Inside the conference hall, it was arranged as a tiered auditorium capable of holding several hundred people.

The stage was at the forefront, about one meter higher than the audience’s seating, with a podium and several chairs on it.

Behind the stage was a massive alchemy wall, currently blank.

The seating in the audience area was divided by influence, with each area clearly marked.

The front row was occupied by representatives of the major powers, Star Dome Commerce Association, Blood Rose, Star Tower, Seville Empire... each name as familiar as thunder.

The representative of the Star Dome Commerce Association was a Warlock in his fifties, with graying hair, a graceful demeanor, wearing a dark blue magic robe, and the badge on his chest indicated he was a Level 3 Arcanist.

He sat in the central front row, a thick notebook spread out before him, holding a quill pen, and writing something quietly.

Black Sail’s representative was Lucas, dressed in a dark magic robe, with a stern face and steady gaze.

He didn’t bring any documents, just sat there quietly, hands crossed on his knees, occasionally glancing at the surrounding crowd.

Thorn Holy Tower’s representative was Vera; she had changed into a formal white magic robe today, with her long hair tied into a neat ponytail, her appearance cold, her gaze calm.

Beside her sat a middle-aged witch that Duke didn’t recognize; the two occasionally exchanged a few quiet words.

There were many more faces Duke didn’t know.

They came from different powers, different regions, different backgrounds, but today, they all came for the same reason, which was the Automatic Meditation Potion.

Duke stood in the waiting area on the side of the stage, watching the crowd seating through a gap in the curtain.

His breathing was steady, heartbeat normal, and expression unchanged.

He knew that after today, his name would be remembered by more people.

But he also knew that this was just the beginning.

"Lord Duke." A staff member approached, "We will start in a quarter of an hour. Please prepare."

Duke nodded, withdrew his gaze, and took a deep breath.

In a quarter of an hour, he would stand on that stage, facing the most powerful and wealthy in the entire Wizard Plane, showcasing his achievements.

When the time came, the host from the Arcane Master Association took the stage, a man in his thirties, with a refined appearance, wearing a dark gray magic robe, and a Level 3 Arcanist badge on his chest.

His voice wasn’t loud, but amplified by magic power, it was clear and gentle in every ear.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to today’s presentation of Automatic Meditation achievements." His gaze swept across the audience, "I am the head of the Achievement Promotion Department of the Arcane Master Association, and I will be hosting today’s presentation."

He gave a brief overview of the presentation process, then shifted focus to Duke.

"The main character today is Lord Duke of Black Sail. Lord Duke is a Level 2 Arcanist and a student of the Six-Ring Tower. His research achievement, ’The Complete Realization Plan of the Automatic Meditation Characteristic of the White Mist Forest Potion,’ has been vetted by the Arcane Master Association and published in the ’Arcane Mage Monthly.’ Today, he will personally demonstrate the actual effect of the Automatic Meditation Potion."

He paused, looking at Duke on the side of the stage. "Now, let’s welcome Lord Duke."

Duke took a deep breath, stepped onto the stage.

The light fell on him, making his dark magic robe gleam.

He stood at the center of the stage, facing hundreds of faces in the audience, his gaze calm.

He had seen bigger scenes, faced more dangerous battles, and standing here now, felt a strange calmness.

"Hello everyone." His voice was steady, "I am Duke."

He briefly introduced his identity, then smoothly transitioned to the main topic.

"Automatic Meditation, as the name suggests, allows the user to automatically enter a meditation state while the potion’s effect lasts, without active operation of the Meditation Technique, nor expending spiritual power to guide."

He didn’t use complex terminology, nor piled up obscure theories, just communicated the core value of the achievement in the most straightforward language.

To make everyone more intuitively feel the effect of Automatic Meditation, we have prepared some samples." He looked at the staff on the side of the stage, "Please, staff members, distribute a bottle of White Mist Forest Potion to each guest present."

The staff below the stage began to move.

They carried trays, walking between the seats, distributing bottles of pale golden magic potion to everyone.

Some people took the potion, opened the stopper to smell it, then nodded.

Some just held it in their hands, scrutinizing the liquid inside the bottle, expressionless.

Others had already started discussing in low voices, speculating about the potion’s effects.

Once everyone received the potion, Duke continued to speak.

"The White Mist Forest Potion in your hands was refined according to the plan outlined in the paper. It possesses the characteristic of Automatic Meditation. Now, please take the potion."

There was a slight commotion below the stage, some followed suit, others hesitated.

Duke didn’t urge them, just quietly waited.

"The effect of Automatic Meditation will manifest immediately after ingestion." Duke’s voice was steady, "You can close your eyes and feel the changes in the Spiritual Sea. There is no need for active meditation, or to guide spiritual power, just relax and feel."

Some people below the stage closed their eyes, followed by more.

Some remained calm, some slightly furrowed their brows, some slightly curled their lips.

Among those who closed their eyes, some had their brows unfurrowed, some had their breathing become steady, some leaned forward slightly, as if listening to something.

Duke stood on stage, observing the changes in their expressions, without speaking.

He knew what they were feeling, that subtle, continuous tremor in the Spiritual Sea.

No active meditation was needed, yet spiritual power was slowly growing.

It was a strange experience, as if someone else was doing for them what they normally needed to do themselves.

After about the time it takes to sip a cup of tea, people below the stage gradually opened their eyes.

Some showed surprise, some were thoughtful, some turned to whisper to those nearby.

The murmuring grew louder and denser, like a buzzing hive.

No need for Duke to elaborate much; the audience was full of knowledgeable wizards, and experiencing the effect of the White Mist Forest Potion firsthand was more convincing than a thousand words.

Someone below the stage couldn’t wait any longer and spoke up.

"Lord Duke! How do we collaborate? The Black Stone Commerce Association is willing to offer the highest price; can we get exclusive authorization?"

Before the words finished, another voice immediately followed, with a tone of disdain: "Exclusive authorization? Black Stone Commerce Association? Can a small commerce association in Skavi swallow the entire market of the Wizard Plane? Star Dome Commerce Association is the most capable partner."

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!