Arcane Lord

Among all kinds of competitions on the earth, the best choice for small countries to counterattack is of course intellectual competitions, such as Go and chess.

In normal sports competitions, because countries have different levels of development, training equipment and equipment technology can widen a very obvious gap, such as sharkskin swimsuits in swimming competitions, sports shoes in running competitions, etc.

However, intelligence competitions no longer consider these external advantages, and basically control the contestants' competition point to pure intelligence. After all, no one can improve their winning rate just by using a golden chessboard.

Xia Duo felt that the only thing the Nese people could do to defeat the elves was differentiated competition. The advantage or not the disadvantage of humans lay in their intelligence.

Although a long life allows elves to come into contact with many people and things, learn a lot of knowledge, and gain a lot of wisdom, they do not open an absolute gap with the Nese people.

Otherwise, there would be no snowmelt competition today.

Magical ability is actually a manifestation of wisdom.

In addition, Netheril started late, but it has still been able to develop to this level. This is a reflection of the wisdom of the Netheril people. If a set of rules is designed to limit the competition to a specific field of wisdom, it may be possible to defeat the elves. .

This set of rules actually exists in the native land of Nese, and many puzzle chess games have been passed down from the elves.

However, due to the short lifespan of human mages, they will not waste a lot of time on this. Therefore, in a battle, unless they are really smart, it will be difficult to defeat the elves who are not stingy with their time on this.

The new rules will temporarily keep the level of both sides consistent. If it is still used in subsequent snowmelt competitions, perhaps the Nese mages will also conduct targeted training.

Of course, this is an afterthought, so Xia Duolai doesn't need to worry about it. All he has to do now is submit a set of rules. As for whether it is chess or Go, he is considering it.

However, the so-called consideration is actually just one or two thoughts. Xia Duo quickly made a decision. From the perspective of intellectual competition, Go is undoubtedly more suitable.

However, the Snow Melting Competition event cannot be completely set up as an intellectual competition. After all, it is an arcane competition, and magic abilities must be reflected. In this regard, chess with a large number of battles is more suitable.

The magically modified chess is called [Arcane Puzzle] by Xia Duo. In addition to the localization of the names of the chess pieces, the biggest change is that the chess pieces have real lethality.

For example, [Cannon] has become a spell that can pass over one of your own chess pieces to attack the opponent's chess pieces. [Pawn] and [Pawn] have become a melee contact spell, and the others are similar.

When playing chess, contestants move according to the rules of chess, but when capturing pieces, in addition to attacking between pieces, contestants can also cast spells to interfere or assist.

In other words, the element of spell duel is added to the piece-taking part, but the pieces have the advantage of attacking first, and it is not easy for the contestants to cast spells to interfere.

Generally speaking, it still favors intelligence, but it can also be related to magic.

As for the specific spell design and manufacturing of chess pieces, Xia Duo only proposed an idea. He believed that the great arcanists would definitely be able to design more localized spell chess pieces.

After submitting this [Arcane Puzzle] competition plan through Niya, Xia Duo didn't care about the follow-up, because he had submitted two plans before, similar to those of the Big Eater, and then there was no follow-up. .

Coupled with the elves' taunts, they were basically killed.

As for the current situation, Xia Duo actually had no idea, but that was all he could do. This involved too much energy, and some of the gains outweighed the losses.

The day after Xia Duo submitted his plan, Niya suddenly sent a message in a voice message, "Xia Duo, did you know? Your plan was left by the teacher and will be discussed within the Seven Towers. If If it passes, the new event of the Snow Melting Competition will definitely be [Arcane Puzzle]!”

There was uncontrollable joy in Niya's voice, and even a hint of pride. Xia Duo didn't take this matter too seriously, he had done what he could.

Whether the plan is adopted or killed, it actually has no effect on him.

This matter is over.

Even a day later, when Niya informed him again that the plan had been adopted, Xia Duo just smiled. Compared to this, he was more interested in the new project proposed by Elf Fang.

This was also mentioned in the latest news from Niya. After the Netheril side confirmed the new project, the Elf side also reported the new project.

An arcane competition called [Magnificent Illusion] requires contestants to cast illusion spells to create the most spectacular or bizarre scenes they can imagine.

From the mundane (such as the beautiful image of a lady) to the epic (such as the realistic reenactment of a great battle) to the whimsical (countless butterflies blooming and flying on the tall golden tree, leaving behind dim beautiful strips of light).

As for the results of the competition, the contestants will be judged on the size, sophistication, verisimilitude and imagination of the illusions created by the contestants.

Regarding this, Xia Duo had to sigh, he was indeed an elf, and he was worthy of being an artist.

The elves believe that the greatest and most noble art is magic, but the expression of art is not only magic itself, but also other aspects.

Xia Duo projected the elves twice, so he had a good understanding of the nature of the elves. He felt that it would be difficult for the Nese Master to score in the [Magnificent Illusion] in this snow-melting competition.

Humans rely on wisdom, and elves rely on art. The focus chosen by both sides is to try to smooth out the other's advantages. It's really quite fantastic!

…

Meanwhile, in April at Severington, representatives from the Seven Towers met again.

"This time Cormanthor came prepared. Those long-eared people like these flashy things!" A great arcanist was indignant.

"If you don't like it, you can give me your vacation manor in the east!"

"Uh-" The great arcanist who spoke before suddenly stopped talking. The manor was built in the elf style. It's hard to say whether it is practical or not, but it is true that it looks good!

"Forget about the usual quarrels. It's time now. Let's stop fighting among ourselves." Badigal from Gustav Tower straightened his face and showed an unhappy expression.

Grand Arcanists may possess powerful magic, but in actual combat, some combat talents are needed to fully utilize this power.

Most of the representatives of the Seven Towers are qualified scholars, but not necessarily qualified warriors.

As recognized as the strongest warrior in the Seven Towers, Badigal's attitude is still taken seriously by others. As soon as he expressed his opinion, everyone else fell silent.

Of course, Badigal is a qualified scholar and a qualified soldier, but not necessarily a qualified diplomat or strategist. After everyone calmed down, he brought the topic back to the purpose of this meeting:

"Then what should we do now?"