"Netheril originated from an alliance of seven small fishing villages."
"The name means 'the land of Nether.'"
On the magical flying wheel, Iolem watched the approaching human city and spoke to the much larger silver dragon beside him.
Garon nodded slightly.
His gaze swept over the city of Nether below.
Majestic walls, towering buildings, bustling streets with pedestrians, and several tall mage towers stood out. Although the proportion of casters in Netheril wasn't as high as in Alfatia, it was still impressively high.
With such a high proportion of casters, along with a group of dedicated Arcanists and a figure like Iolem, the rise of this magical empire was seemingly fated. It was already demonstrating its impressive potential.
Nowadays, Netheril's territory wasn't very vast.
The cities under Netheril's domain were not very large in Garon's eyes, comparable to those on the Noah continent.
However, the thriving atmosphere here was something the kingdoms of Noah continent lacked. On the streets, people were seen casting simple Arcana, thanks to the Weave making low-level Arcana accessible to many.
However, mastering the deeper aspects of Arcana was not easy; in fact, it was harder to learn than ordinary spells.
"This is Lemont City, home to the most Arcanists in Netheril and my city."
"The citizens take pride in me, and I consider it my pride."
Iolem said with a smile.
Throughout the journey, Garon learned much about Netheril through Iolem's introductions.
Netheril didn't have a monarchy.
There used to be Kings of Nether.
But as Arcana developed and individual Arcanists' strength gradually improved, rulers of various cities in Netheril were replaced by powerful Arcanists, mostly Grand Arcanists and legendary beings. Since each Grand Arcanist had their own distinct style, the cities of Netheril each had different orders and codes.
There was no unified king.
Strictly speaking, Netheril was more a coalition of city-states led by Grand Arcanists, but currently, it only consisted of about a dozen cities.
The most prosperous among them was Iolem's Lemont City.
Garon's gaze fell upon the city.
The city bore many traces of magical modification. The modifications were not intricate; many areas were still rough, but Garon could see that these alterations seemed to be an attempt to integrate the city's architecture into a whole.
Iolem noticed Garon's gaze.
A hint of longing in the depths of the Grand Arcanist's eyes, he said, "I had an idea of using Arcana to make the city fly high into the sky, suspended among the breezy clouds, far from conflicts with other races."
"Thus, we Arcanists can focus on our pursuit and research into the essence of all things."
"However, due to orc invasions, I haven't been able to focus on research."
"After resolving the orc issue, I plan to seclude myself in the mage tower, dedicating all my attention to what I wish to achieve."
As a caster, Iolem was not interested in struggles for power between nations.
He wished to break free from the confines of the earth and build a state transcendent of worldly conflicts.
Garon's gaze shifted to Iolem.
Garon, evaluating Iolem, slowly said, "If you succeed, what do you think such a city should be called?"
Without hesitation, Iolem replied, "A floating city."
Given his quick response, it was apparent that Iolem had long pondered and decided on this name.
Garon smiled, "A good name."
He knew the future Netheril Empire was famous for its floating cities. It seemed Iolem had planted the seed for this idea early on.
"When your floating city is complete, I may come to visit."
Garon had never seen a floating city but was quite interested in such sky-soaring structures.
"I'll welcome your visit," Iolem said with a smile.
He harbored doubts about the feasibility of the floating city but was determined nonetheless.
After settling the Arcanists and human warriors, Garon briefly toured Netheril's territory under Iolem's guidance before returning to Lemont City. After handling the aftermath of the attack on the Raging Peaks, Iolem planned to find Garon again.
He initially invited Garon to his mage tower for better spell exchange.
However, Garon declined.
He temporarily rested in a dense forest near Lemont City.
With just a few rolls, his enormous dragon body overpowered several sturdy trees, creating a space large enough to accommodate him.
A dragon's might emanated from Garon, keeping magical creatures at bay.
The area within dozens of miles around Garon was as quiet as dead water.
Under the moonlight, Garon lay on the ground, one dragon claw supporting his head and the other holding the Time Gate, examining it closely.
"With Imasca's spell circle as an anchor, it still depleted all its energy."
This teleportation drained all the energy from the Time Gate.
Thin streams of time flowed under Garon's control from the River of Time into the Imasca spell circle, slowly refilling the Time Gate's energy.
Meanwhile, Garon noticed the slower pace of extracting time power here.
"Compared to the main timeline, it's almost a hundred times slower."
Garon took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and focused, shutting out external distractions, meticulously drawing the power of time.
He felt the River of Time in this timeline repelling him.
Despite his persistent efforts, the River of Time begrudgingly provided him with bits of time power.
"At this rate, it would take decades just to refill the Time Gate."
"If I overuse time power, it will take a long time to recover."
This meant that in this timeline, Garon had to be careful with his use of time power, unable to speed up travel as before. However, his control over elemental energy was unaffected by the timeline shift.
Due to the Weave, the orderly elemental energy here was easily manipulated by Garon.
Casting spells here reduced his magical and mental energy consumption, increased spell power, and accelerated mana recovery.
"The flow of different timelines affects my rate of drawing time power."
Holding the depleted Time Gate, Garon's expression grew serious.
He had a premonition.
He might have to stay in this timeline for quite some time.
But Garon wasn't in a hurry.
Dragons are capable of long slumbers.
With nothing urgent, he could sleep through lengthy periods.
Back in the main timeline, Garon rarely slept long due to his many responsibilities. Here, he could rest well.
Under the rustling tree shadows, the silver dragon raised its head to look at the star-filled night sky, then closed its eyes amidst deep, steady breaths. Clutching the Imasca spell circle, time power continued to trickle in.
A simple cabin stood beside a babbling brook.
In this quiet forest, the Grand Arcanist and the legendary dragon exchanged knowledge.
Two months had passed since Garon arrived in Faerun. As seekers of truth and essence, Garon and Iolem enjoyed this pure exchange of knowledge.
"Connecting to the Weave, contacting the Weave, is the first step for ordinary Arcanists to learn Arcana."
"From low to high level, from simple to complex, gradually touching the essence of Arcana."
"However, with your magical prowess, you can start directly with legendary Arcana, trying to simplify the complex."
"I'm best at the tenth-circle Arcana, as you've seen. It's called Mountain Rend. Now, I'll break it down for you."
The brilliance of spells intertwined, forming a three-dimensional illusory mountain composed of arcane runes, numerous as stars. The illusory mountain expanded, rotated, and contracted. Arcane runes within were carefully displayed to Garon.
Garon watched intently, listening carefully.
Iolem was an excellent teacher, skilled in instruction.
He knew all the difficulties of Arcana, almost answering Garon's doubts before he even asked, as if reading his mind.
With such guidance from a Grand Arcanist, Garon's knowledge of Arcana advanced rapidly.
Iolem taught him legendary Arcana, not for Garon to master it but to demonstrate Arcana's framework and composition, a teaching method designed specifically for Garon, and it worked well.
Iolem even shared his signature legendary Arcana, earning Garon's admiration.
Iolem's broad-mindedness made Garon respect him even more, affirming that Iolem was a key figure in Netheril's rise, worth befriending.
Netheril was still far from its glory days, and Arcana had not yet reached its peak. Since Garon had established ties with Netheril's leading figure, he felt he could visit more often in the altered timeline to learn more legendary Arcana.
Garon also shared his spell knowledge without reservation.
Though talented, Garon was not a qualified teacher.
After a few lessons, Iolem opted to self-study, prompting some embarrassment from Garon.
Time silently passed.
The sun rose and set repeatedly, day and night alternating.
In two months, Garon and Iolem exchanged knowledge from basic to legendary spells.
The essence of Arcana and spells was similar.
Already a legendary caster, with Iolem's dedicated teaching, Garon reached the level of a Grand Arcanist in four months, successfully casting Mountain Rend.
Having mastered legendary Arcana, low-level Arcana was easy for him, akin to the basic spells of the eight schools, requiring just a glance to grasp.
Garon copied Morden's notes for Iolem.
With detailed content, Iolem, a knowledgeable Grand Arcanist, could now cast ninth-circle Evocation fireballs.
During this time, Garon immersed himself in studying Arcana, almost forgetting his original purpose in Faerun, the secret weapon of the Imasca Empire. But peaceful times were about to end.
"I launched an attack on the Raging Peaks, but the orc problem is not fundamentally resolved."
"Their main forces are stationed deep in the vast mountain forests, periodically sending raiding parties to harass Netheril's land."
"Now, my summoned diviners have located the orc encampment."
"Therefore, I've decided to lead an expedition again, with Arcanists, to obliterate them, a campaign of extermination!"
Iolem's eyes were sharp as he spoke resolutely.
In the shade cast by Garon, the friendly Grand Arcanist showed a decisive side.
Garon now understood the enmity between Netheril and the orcs. Since Nether was just a few fishing villages, they suffered from orc raids. It was reasonable to exterminate nearby orcs now that they had the power.
"I think you need the help of a legendary true dragon."
"For our friendship, I can ask for a bit less compensation," Garon grinned.
As the saying goes, when you hold a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
Having just learned legendary Arcana, Garon naturally wanted to test its power.
But even with close relations, a dragon never exerts effort without reward.
Iolem looked at the immense silver dragon and shook his head, "Orc casters haven't deciphered the space teleportation spell yet. Once we locate them, Arcanists can annihilate them."
In current Faerun, spells like dimensional anchor hadn't been invented yet.
In the war against orcs, Arcanists with teleportation held absolute initiative.
"The orc army is not weak."
"I'm determined to annihilate them all, whether they flee or resist."
"By my estimate, this extermination campaign will take at least a year."
Pausing, Iolem looked regretful, "I've enjoyed our exchange, but I likely won't have free time until the war with the orcs is over."
Under the Grand Arcanist's gaze, the silver dragon spread its wings, casting a vast shadow.
The edges of the wings rustled against the dense canopy.
Garon flapped his wings, creating a gust and said, "Just in time, I was planning to leave too."
"The Eastern Imasca Empire?"
Iolem inquired.
Garon nodded, his platinum dragon eyes gleaming with a sharp light.
"You came to Faerun apparently for this powerful eastern empire," Iolem quickly deduced, remembering Garon's earlier inquiry about Imasca.
There was nothing to hide.
"Indeed, you're right," Garon admitted.
"After ending the war with the orcs, I might also visit Imasca to see the scenery of this powerful empire," Iolem said thoughtfully.
After exchanging a few words of farewell, the two left items for future contact.
The Grand Arcanist departed.
The silver dragon also soared into the sky, heading towards the direction of the rising sun in the roaring wind.
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