A huge thanks to GreenKitea and NyxVervaine for the kofis. Enjoy the bonus chapters!

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Qiyu’s answer perfectly matched Frederick’s perception of the ranks of mages. 

He brought up a few more topics, trying to pry a little more information out of Qiyu.

However, no matter how much he pressed, the young man in front of him was tight-lipped; he hadn’t managed to pry anything out of him at all. 

Qiyu’s real thoughts: He simply couldn’t make up a “non-existent teacher,” so when faced with a question he couldn’t fabricate an answer for, he remained silent. 

Seeing this, Frederick didn’t linger any longer; he said a few brief words and left.

Qiyu sat alone in the reception area and noticed a tall bookshelf nearby, lined with many books. His eyes lit up, and he began reading.

“The chairman—how did it go?”

Frederick shook his head: “He’s a crafty little rascal—he plays dumb when asked the crucial questions.”

As he said this, a smile played across his weathered face; clearly, he wasn’t really holding it against him: “Still, he does seem to know very little about the outside world. It seems he really has been living in seclusion in the Star Forest; he’s not from any other city.”

His first talent assessment and class certification took place in Gold Hole City; in the eyes of the public, Qiyu was considered a mage who was practically from Gold Hole City. Having stumbled upon a genius like this, Guild Master Frederick was in high spirits.

Qiyu was in high spirits as well.

The books the Mage Association had placed here were for visitors to read.

Those who usually sat here waiting were novice mages undergoing professional certification for the first time; some of these books were popular science texts on magic. They were perfect for him.

Qiyu finally understood the ranks of mages and the meanings behind their insignias. Before advancing to a rank, a mage is called a magic apprentice.

There are a total of nine ranks in the official Mage profession.

Mages at Levels 1 through 3 are considered entry-level mages. Mages at Levels 4 and 5 are ranked mages.

Level 6 and Level 7 mages are also considered intermediate-tier mages. 

Mages who reach Level 8 are entitled to the title of “magister.” Level 9 mages are reverently addressed as grand mages.

Before becoming a magister, a Mage’s professional insignia is identical to that of the Mages’ Guild, differing only in the number of stars surrounding the emblem.

The staff member who greeted Qiyu was a magic apprentice, so there was a single silver star beneath his insignia. Once he becomes a full-fledged mage, his silver star will turn gold.

As for President Frederick, whom we just met, the insignia on his chest appeared to be surrounded by seven golden stars, indicating that he is a Level 7 Mage.

Qiyu recalled the cultivation notes he had obtained from the treasure chest. Written by the legendary elven magister Aegnor. 

If he hadn’t fully grasped the value of this before, he now understood it completely.

Survival Game, Thank You. 

His mind wandered for a moment: I wonder what Lord Aegnor’s insignia looks like? After all, the book mentioned that starting from the magister rank, the Mage Association customizes exclusive personal insignias for them. 

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” the staff member from earlier interrupted his train of thought. “Here is your professional insignia.”

Qiyu took the small badge and sensed a faint magical energy within it—one that shared the same origin as his own. Just as he had imagined, the badge featured three golden stars at the bottom that shone brightly, making a striking impression.

It’s beautiful.

Qiyu followed the others’ example and pinned it to his chest. 

The staff member brought out several exquisite gift boxes: “Since you seem to really enjoy our association’s pastries, the president specifically asked us to prepare these for you.”

Qiyu looked at the stacked boxes.

The Gold Hole City Mage Association is really straightforward. 

His favorability rating went up by 1 again.

Qiyu thanked him and took out an emerald crystal peach from his backpack.

“A small token of appreciation,” he said. “This is a specialty from our Star Forest—the emerald crystal peach. It’s absolutely delicious.” 

Staff member: “…Oh, okay. I’ll pass this on to the president.” This was his first time experiencing this kind of gift-exchange ritual.

Qiyu said, “I brought more than I expected—you should try one too, to thank you for your hospitality today.”

A look of flattered surprise spread across the staff member’s face. “I get one too? Thank you, Qiyu.” 

With his business at the Mage Association concluded, Qiyu was about to leave.

The staff member called out to him and whispered, “I noticed you seemed interested in these books. Association members can borrow them—is there anything you’d like to take with you?”

Qiyu was somewhat tempted, but after thinking it over, he declined.

He had come to Gold Hole City this time because he had happened to receive a request via a drifting bottle. He didn’t know if he’d have another chance to return after he went back.

If he can’t come back, wouldn’t that be the same as taking it right away?

The Mage Association was very considerate toward him, and Qiyu didn’t want to take advantage of them. He asked if he could just buy them outright, but the staff member shook his head, looking hesitant.

Qiyu put all the gift boxes away, walked out, turned right, and arrived at the counter to claim his professional subsidy. He felt a bit excited.

The clerk took his badge, verified it, and told him, “Qiyu, please note that your subsidy is based on the first tier. You are currently a Level 3 Mage. According to regulations, you are entitled to 30 Mage Crystals and 3,000 gold coins per month, as well as a 50% discount on any magical materials of Level 3 or below at the shop of your choice.”

Qiyu: !!

What are gold coins, and what’s their purchasing power?

But he knew the value of third-tier magic crystals.

A Level 2 Magic Crystal is worth 50 emerald crystals each. A Level 3 Magic Crystal sells for as much as 100 emerald crystals.

The Mage Association is actually that wealthy. If he joins, they’ll give him this much living allowance every month.

“Mr. Qiyu, would you like to claim this month’s allowance, or would you prefer to receive this year’s allowance in a lump sum?”

Qiyu snapped back to reality, surprised: “I can actually receive a year’s worth?”

The staff member nodded with a smile: “Yes, because mages are so busy with their training, they don’t always have time to come by every month to collect it.”

Besides, cultivation is generally quite expensive for mages; most of them rush to claim their entire year’s subsidy in the first month of the year, only to spend it all in less than a month.

This time, Qiyu didn’t beat around the bush: “I’d like to claim the entire year’s allowance at once.” 

The staff member nodded and went through the standard procedure: “Let me confirm this with you. Our subsidies are based on your Mage rank. After you’ve claimed this year’s full subsidy in one lump sum, if your Mage rank advances to a higher level within the year, you can come back here to claim the difference in the subsidy based on your new rank.”

Such thoughtful service left Qiyu speechless. 

He really wanted to ask: “Is the Mage Association here to do charity work?” Their generosity was indeed no lie.

After confirming the details, he received a massive windfall: 360 Level 3 Magic Crystals and 36,000 gold coins.

Qiyu didn’t realize that after he received this substantial “living allowance,” his ranking on the Zone 01 Wealth List had quietly shifted.

The top spot on the Zone 01 Wealth List—which many had speculated would change hands at any moment—has finally been claimed by the golden words “I Love Survival Game.”

Number One on All Three Lists! 

Qiyu paid no attention to the uproar he had caused; all his focus was on his survival panel, where a new “Mage Association” section had appeared, bearing the association’s emblem as its icon. 

Clicking into the Mage section revealed two distinct icons: one for the Mage Association Store and the other for the Mage Association Warehouse. 

In the warehouse, three rows of the page were now highlighted, while the rows above them remained grayed out.

Qiyu guessed this was based on his Mage level; the three rows represented materials for three different levels. Meanwhile, the Mage Guild Store was packed with countless items.

Qiyu immediately spotted the items he had once longed for but could never obtain: parchment paper and potions.

Parchment paper: 1 gold coin per sheet. 

Potions: 1 gold coin per 1 ml.

Comparing this to the price list provided by the traveling merchant, 1 gold coin seems to be equivalent to 1 emerald crystal. 

But this is the price after the Mage Association store applied a 50% discount. 

Does that mean the purchasing power of 1 emerald crystal is equal to 2 gold coins?

Qiyu took out an emerald crystal and handed it to the staff member.

He said, “I’m from the Forest of Stars. In our world, we use emerald crystals as currency. May I ask, are emerald crystals still accepted here?”

The staff member was surprised: “Emerald crystals?”

The staff member took one, examined it closely, and exclaimed, “So this is an emerald crystal! It’s just as beautiful as the rumors say—it’s perfect, like a work of art.”

“These are the standard currency crafted by the Elven race, but as the Elves have gradually withdrawn from the world, the circulation of emerald crystals has become increasingly rare. This is actually the first time I’ve seen one.”

“As for whether they’re still accepted…” 

“Of course they can!” a deep voice rang out.

Qiyu turned to look and saw a burly, middle-aged man dressed in a crimson-gold robe striding energetically toward him.

Behind him, another person was huffing and puffing as he followed. He looked very familiar—it was Leslie, whom he had parted ways with not long ago.

“Master Yu, it’s good to see you again!” Leslie waved enthusiastically at Qiyu. When he spotted the insignia on his master’s robe, his smile widened. “Congratulations on successfully passing the Mage Certification Exam.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you Master Yu?” The middle-aged man bowed to Qiyu. “I am Sean of the Borg Chamber of Commerce. Thank you for bringing my good-for-nothing son back from the Black Rock Mountain Range.”

“This ungrateful son is so thoughtless that he hasn’t even paid the fee,” he said apologetically. “Please don’t hold it against me, Master Yu.” 

Reward? The eyes beneath the cloak lit up suddenly. 

That’s right—he remembered he’d accepted a “drifting bottle” quest, but had forgotten that he could collect a reward here as well. 

This trip has really paid off, Qiyu thought happily.