Wizard: Starting from the Skill Tree-Chapter 611: Quadrant Scramble

Lina looked at Duke, her eyes serious: "Our team originally planned to participate, but after witnessing your strength, we are clear that with our current configuration, we won’t go far in a competition filled with strong contenders.

We need someone who can truly serve as the core, a powerhouse who can make decisive actions at critical moments, and not only are you a Limit Breaker, but you have frequently entered high-difficulty simulation battlefields within a month, steadily improving your record, which fully proves your strength.

We believe that with your addition, our team could secure more resources in the competition."

Rhine handed over a metallic token emitting a faint silver glow, engraved with complex star maps and gear patterns: "This is an invitation to the competition as well as a provisional team contract credential. If you are willing to consider it, we can share our known analyses about past competition formats, common opponent styles, and resource point distribution patterns. As a gesture of goodwill in inviting you, you will have priority selection rights and a higher distribution ratio of resource points obtained during the competition, which we can discuss in detail."

Duke did not immediately take the token but instead pondered over it.

A competition that uses the Witch Array simulation battlefield but exchanges for real resources is indeed in line with the consistent style of the Seville Empire.

Binding virtual training closely with actual benefits to maximize the encouragement of competition and growth.

Young elites from all over the Empire and even other continents, it is undoubtedly an excellent platform to test one’s strength, broaden horizons, and efficiently acquire resources.

As for the risk issue, there’s not much need for concern, as the competition takes place within the Witch Array simulation battlefield, and one won’t suffer any substantial harm.

But the problem is, Duke did not want to team up with these people.

Firstly, there’s the trust issue; he doesn’t know these people, making it difficult to build enough trust in a short period.

Lacking enough trust makes it hard to cooperate, especially in such resource-grabbing competitions.

Once encountering some extremely precious resource, previous cooperation agreements can all be rendered void, almost without any binding force.

Though in a simulated environment where no real harm will be suffered, losing resources because of this would still not be worth it.

Moreover, this competition is conducted in levels, with Level 1 Mages only encountering Level 1 Mages.

Duke is now a Level 1 Crystalized Mage, with his combat strength almost at the top of Level 1, with no need to team up with others.

He has many methods and has many cards to play, many of which are not suitable to show in front of strangers.

After much consideration, Duke thought that acting alone had more advantages than teaming up, so he planned to refuse their team invitation.

After a brief weighing of options, Duke had made up his mind.

"Thank you for your invitation and the information shared," Duke’s voice remained calm, "the Void Echo · Quadrant Contest does indeed sound like a valuable platform."

Rhine and the other three heard this and looked even more expectant.

But Duke’s tone shifted as he continued, "However, concerning the team-up matter, I’m afraid I cannot agree." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Rhine’s smile stiffened slightly, and Lina and Blake showed obvious surprise and disappointment.

"Why? Mr. Duke, is the condition we offered not good enough? We can renegotiate the distribution ratio!" Blake said somewhat anxiously.

Duke raised his hand slightly, gestured for calm, speaking in an unperturbed yet indisputable distant tone, "It’s unrelated to the conditions; it’s mainly that I personally am more accustomed to acting alone. First, since I just got to know you all, mutual battle style, capability limits, and even trust foundations, all need time to hone.

In such high-intensity direct resource contests, if a temporary team lacks sufficient tacit understanding and stable trust, they might become a hindrance or cause unnecessary internal friction when facing critical choices or valuable resources."

He looked at Rhine, eyes candid and direct, "Second, given that the competition is at the Level 1 Mage tier, I prefer relying on my own judgment and strength to respond. Acting alone offers me more flexibility and freedom and avoids many potential issues."

Duke’s words were quite straightforward, yet reasonable as well.

This left Rhine, who initially wanted to persuade further, momentarily at a loss for words, understanding that for a powerful Limit Breaker, such caution and independence are entirely reasonable.

Lina sighed softly, adjusting her glasses, "I understand... Mr. Duke, your concerns are quite reasonable. We were presumptuous, only considering the enhancement of the team’s strength, while overlooking these more practical issues."

Rhine quickly adjusted his emotions, although regretful, he maintained a respectful attitude, "Of course, we respect your choice, Mr. Duke. In any case, thank you for taking the time to listen.

Should you require any non-team-related information exchange or temporary collaboration during the competition, we are still willing to communicate.

This summary of the analysis of the patterns from past competitions, consider it a small gift for our presumptuous disturbance."

As he spoke, he handed over a small information crystal, which evidently contained the portion of the information he promised.

This time, Duke did not refuse and accepted the crystal, nodding slightly, "Thank you, and I wish you good results in the competition. If we encounter each other within the competition, perhaps we can collaborate temporarily."

Watching Duke’s departing figure, Rhine and the other two exchanged wry smiles.

"Definitely a Limit Breaker, acting independently and cautiously," Blake scratched his head.

"Forget it, such a character is inherently difficult to recruit forcefully. Let’s stick to the original plan and see if we can find another reliable teammate," Rhine shook his head, withdrawing his gaze from the direction Duke disappeared.

....

After Duke left, he returned to his room to check the intelligence information provided by Rhine.

Registering for this competition requires signing up first, with a maximum of five-person team registration, or solo participation.

The registration location is at the public information center in Anvil Castle City, where there is an official competition registration point.

Without delay, Duke found the specific location and went directly to the place.

Using the Limit Breaker badge, he quickly found the corresponding service window.

He was received by a more intricate Mechanical Body, and after verifying his identity and strength, the process was exceptionally smooth.

"Mr. Duke, your Limit Breaker identity has been confirmed, meeting the qualifications for the Level 1 group of the Void Echo · Quadrant Contest. Are you registering as an individual or do you have a team code?" The Mechanical Body emitted a clear synthetic voice.

"As an individual," Duke replied.

"Understood, individual entrants will automatically receive an independent identification code for actions and settlements within the simulation quadrant. Please note that individual participants might face a natural numerical disadvantage against opponents organized as complete teams.

The registration fee is 3000 standard magic stones or an equivalent in Empire currency, with a 30% discount for Limit Breakers, totaling 2100 magic stones. Please confirm."