Garon did not leave immediately; instead, he stayed to watch a war between humans and orcs.
He wasn't genuinely interested, so he played the role of a bystander.
Garon wanted to gather information about the land of Faerun from the Arcanist before him.
The primary material world where Faerun was located wasn't as insignificant as the Noah continent. Without knowing the direction, Garon would need considerable time to search for the ancient Imasca Empire, even with his speed.
Garon didn't want to waste his time and energy on an aimless search.
After hearing the Grand Arcanist's question, Garon smiled slightly, indicating no ill will.
"I come from another primary material world."
Under the surprised gaze of Iolem, the silver dragon answered thus.
Meanwhile, Garon spoke to the Grand Arcanist, "I have just arrived in this primary material world and know nothing about it."
At the moment Garon spoke to Iolem, a disturbance occurred in the River of Time.
In an instant, a new timeline appeared, and Garon lost his deep connection with the main timeline. He felt his ability to draw upon the power of time had decreased significantly.
"Indeed, when I affect the future, big or small, a new timeline is created."
Garon looked up at the River of Time spanning the sky and shook his head slightly.
Simultaneously, the Grand Arcanist looked up, following Garon's gaze.
However, the alteration in the timeline was not something he could perceive.
In Iolem's view, aside from the breezy clouds and the orange-yellow sun in the sky, there was nothing noteworthy.
Garon's gaze returned to Iolem.
His eyes were calm as he slowly said, "Powerful caster, would you be willing to share some information about this primary material world? Of course, I understand the principle of equivalent exchange; you can also gain knowledge of another primary material world from me."
Strong beings understand their primary material world far better than ordinary creatures.
Garon wanted to learn more about Faerun. Iolem, with a life rank of twenty-six in Garon's eyes, was a suitable candidate. He was not stronger than Garon, so he wasn't a threat, but he wasn't weak either and had a unique and clear understanding of this primary material world.
Iolem was over a hundred and fifty years old.
He wore a deep blue mage's robe, adorned with twisted magical runes and patterns of the sun, moon, and stars. These runes and patterns flowed slowly, weaving a strange scene.
His face was relatively aged.
Around his wise eyes, noticeable wrinkles were evident.
Human casters, unless using special methods, even legendary casters, don't live very long. Iolem, among the casters, was already an old man. The other Arcanists who attacked the orcs with him were mostly his disciples.
"So, you are a guest from another primary material world."
Under Garon's gaze, Iolem smiled slightly and said, "I, too, yearn for the knowledge of magic from other worlds. I think we can have some friendly exchanges."
"My name is Iolem, the Grand Arcanist of Netheril."
Netheril?
When he heard this word, Garon was slightly taken aback.
He knew the Netheril Empire existed in Faerun but didn't expect to land in Netheril while heading towards the ancient Imasca Empire.
Could it be that the destruction of the Imasca Empire is related to the Netheril Empire?
Garon had limited knowledge of Faerun.
"The Netheril Empire?" Garon asked.
Iolem was taken aback and then smiled helplessly, "You jest. Our Netheril is just an ordinary country in the land of Faerun, far from deserving the name of an empire."
An ordinary country – it seemed Netheril had not yet reached its glorious and powerful era.
Garon thought to himself.
"However, the Netheril Empire you mentioned is also a goal for which I, Iolem, strive."
"I believe that one day, Netheril will become an important term that cannot be ignored on the continent of Faerun."
The Grand Arcanist's face bore a serene smile.
He believed in himself and the Arcanists of Netheril, and he was equally confident in Netheril's future.
"I look forward to it," Garon said with a slight smile.
He knew Netheril's future; it was destined to become a strong and brilliant magic empire. However, in this world, no magic empire lasts forever; only gods and god-like beings that hover above the primary material world are eternal.
Over the long stretch of time.
The glory of the Netheril Empire, like the Alfatia Empire, is a fleeting firework. And such fireworks abound.
Meanwhile, the other Arcanists and human warriors continued to clear the battlefield.
Iolem's eyes shone with magical brilliance. He observed the surroundings to prevent any accidents while communicating with Garon.
"I am very interested in Arcana."
"It's similar to the spellcasting system I have mastered, but there are differences."
Garon and Iolem discussed Arcana and the spells Garon mastered.
"Abjuration, Enchantment, Evocation. The eight schools."
"A very detailed division of spells."
After hearing about different magical schools, Iolem's eyes brightened, showing great interest in Garon's magical system.
"Compared to that, our Arcana doesn't have a clear division, roughly only three types."
Iolem spoke of Arcana.
"Creation, Mind, Transformation."
"Creation and destruction, controlling the mind and will, transforming different materials."
"Powerful Arcanists dabble in all three types of Arcana, like me."
Garon listened quietly.
Arcana was powerful, and its effects were more straightforward and formidable than ordinary spells. Having arrived in this Arcana-dominated world, he planned to study Arcana to enhance his understanding of magical essence.
Iolem gave Garon some basic spellbooks for Arcanists.
As a return gesture, Garon also gave Iolem some basic spellbooks from the eight schools.
Both were powerful casters, and knowledge of different systems could lead to new insights. Even without learning, understanding alone could enhance their magical prowess.
"Compared to the spells of your world, Arcana seems more primitive."
During his communication with Garon, Iolem muttered softly.
Garon nodded thoughtfully, "Your description is apt."
Primitive.
That was the feeling Arcana gave Garon.
Not only that, the fire and wind spells of Alfatia also felt primitive.
Such primal spells possess unquestionable power.
The spells of the eight schools are more precise and diversified, capable of almost anything. However, compared to the raw and somewhat rough Arcana, Garon felt a decrease in power by more than a notch.
Each has its pros and cons.
Garon stretched out his dragon claw, gently stirring the air to create a calm flow.
"What would happen to Arcana casting without the Weave?"
In Garon's view, elemental energies interwove into a dense network covering the sky and earth. Although not directly touchable, the Weave was a real presence.
"We cast Arcana through the Weave."
"Without it, lower
-level Arcanists might not be able to cast a single spell."
"But at my level, with preparation, I can still use some Arcana, though the power will be reduced, and the difficulty of casting will increase significantly."
Arcanists rely too much on the Weave, Garon thought.
Or more accurately, it's not the Arcanists that depend on the Weave, but the Arcanists of Faerun, as the Weave has always been there since they gained awareness of the world. While studying Arcana, they've become accustomed to utilizing the power of the Weave, making research easier.
"If something happens to the Weave suddenly, these Arcanists might suffer a great loss."
From Iolem, Garon learned that the Weave was not a natural phenomenon of Faerun, but a creation of the Goddess of Magic.
This Goddess was a pure and powerful deity.
She believed mortals also had the right to wield powerful magic.
In Iolem's tone, Garon could hear a lack of reverence for deities, except for the Goddess of Magic. The Weave was not a stable structure; powerful spells could disrupt its stability, and the Goddess constantly monitored the Weave, silently repairing any damage.
Garon came from a world without the Weave.
The assistance of the Weave is undoubtedly welcome.
But if its presence becomes indispensable, it's a potentially fatal threat in Garon's view.
Iolem had great vision. In the exchange of knowledge between casters, he showed his sincerity, answering Garon's questions almost without reservation. Therefore, Garon decided to offer a word of advice to the Grand Arcanist.
"Iolem, casting with the Weave is quick and convenient, but it can't be eternal."
"Even deities fall; their creations are no exception."
"I think you should study some Arcana that doesn't rely on the Weave, just in case."
The Grand Arcanist's aged face showed a genuine smile, "I realized that when I first became a Grand Arcanist. We built our magical system on the Weave's foundation."
"Leaving the Weave is not easy, as people have grown accustomed to the orderly elemental energies."
"But."
Iolem shook the spellbook of the Enchantment school in his hand and said, "But I see a new path in the magical knowledge you brought."
Without the Weave, the spells of the Noah continent control chaotic elemental energies. Their basic framework is very different from Arcana. The foundation, from nothing to something, is the hardest step.
"The knowledge I gained from you is more precious to me than what I gave you."
"I owe you a favor."
"If you need my help with anything within my power, I won't refuse."
Iolem looked at the giant silver dragon seriously.
Garon nodded lightly.
The other party said he owed him a favor, and Garon wouldn't refuse or reject it.
He examined Iolem, focusing on the dense wrinkles on the Grand Arcanist's face and the white hair on his head, "Your life seems to be nearing its end. It looks like I need to redeem this favor soon."
Iolem laughed, "You're quite blunt."
"But don't worry. Great Arcanists won't die from age. You can redeem the favor when it's the right time."
Garon's gaze shifted, inquiring, "Lich, or?"
The most effective and common way to escape the shackles of life he knew was to transform into a lich.
Iolem shook his head, frankly saying, "I've been researching a kind of immortality technique. Of course, it can't bring true immortality, but if it significantly extends the life of a Grand Arcanist, that's enough."
"Although I haven't succeeded yet, I already have a viable idea."
"After dealing with the orc threat, I will focus on Arcana research. I believe this immortality technique can emerge before my death."
Iolem had no reason to hide this.
Arcana in the land of Netheril was still budding, and knowledge of it was extremely precious.
But Iolem was a broad-minded Grand Arcanist.
Once he develops this Arcana, he won't use it just for himself.
Furthermore, most of the Arcana that Iolem researched himself was taught to others, benefiting many Arcanists. He never hesitated to help others, leading the charge against the orcs despite the dangers. In Netheril, he is the most respected and prestigious Grand Arcanist, without a doubt.
Garon had a premonition.
In the rise of the magical empire of Netheril, the Grand Arcanist before him definitely played a key role.
"Sir, I've enjoyed exchanging knowledge with you."
"You must not have had enough either."
"Since you are new here, why not come to the land of Netheril? We can discuss Arcana and the eight schools of spells in depth, learn from each other's strengths, and gain new insights."
"The Arcanists of Netheril will welcome the arrival of a legendary true dragon."
The battlefield was almost clear by then.
Iolem was leaving the Raging Peaks to return to a city under Netheril's jurisdiction, so he invited Garon.
It was a good suggestion.
Garon planned to delve deeply into the study of Arcana.
The Weave had obvious disadvantages, but its advantages far outweighed them. If he could establish a Weave belonging to the dragon race on the planet Kala, or more ambitiously, in the entire primary material world, it would be a tremendous boost for the dragon race.
With the help of an experienced Grand Arcanist like Iolem, studying Arcana would be much more effective.
His target was the ancient Imasca Empire, but Garon was not in a hurry to go there right now.
"I intend to do just that."
Next, the silver dragon spread its wings and flew off with the magical flying wheel carrying the Arcanists, its enormous size and profound aura drawing the Arcanists' frequent glances.
On the way to Netheril, Garon asked about the Mechanical Empire.
He still didn't know what position the ancient Imasca Empire held on the continent of Faerun.
"It seems you are referring to the Eastern Empire, Imasca."
"I have never been to this nation."
"But I have heard its name from travelers from the East."
"Imasca is located in the east of Faerun, a powerful empire far stronger than Netheril, a mysterious and mighty Mechanical Empire."
"I'm not sure about the exact location, but if you fly towards the land of the rising sun, you will eventually reach the territory of the Imasca Empire."
Talking about the Imasca Empire, Iolem's eyes showed a hint of longing.
Deep down, he hoped that one day Netheril would develop into a magic empire like Imasca.
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