Chapter 111: The Path of Arcane

"That's impossible!" Aideliqi's face was full of disbelief. "I've tried countless times, and I've never cast the exact same spell twice."

"Are you serious?"

Now it was Xia Duo's turn to be incredulous. If two different people cast the same spell, there might be minor differences, but for one specific person, could they really not cast the exact same spell?

"It's true!" Aideliqi said earnestly.

He seemed not to understand why Xia Duo was so surprised, but he had been away from Magic for some time, and he didn't know how to refute what Xia Duo was saying now.

"Dien! You tell us!"

Xia Duo suddenly pointed to Dien, catching Dien off guard. "Me?!"

He pointed at himself in disbelief, and Xia Duo confirmed it again: "Yes, you! Where do you think Aideliqi's problem lies?"

"This—"

Dien's hesitation didn't look like he didn't know; rather, it looked like he was worried Aideliqi wouldn't be willing to accept it. Aideliqi seemed to see through Dien's thoughts; perhaps there really was something he was doing wrong, which made him look forward to Dien's explanation.

He took the initiative to reassure Dien, "Don't have any psychological burden. Since we've joined the Study Group, we should communicate openly. If you point out my mistakes, I'll be nothing but happy!"

Since the person involved said so, Dien no longer hesitated. "Before I became an Official Mage, I was stuck on 【Mending】. No matter how I practiced, I couldn't succeed. Later, I found a book, *Geometric Principles in 0-Ring Spells*, and only then did I understand how to accurately control the spell structure."

"*Geometric Principles in 0-Ring Spells*? Does that book exist?" Aideliqi looked blank.

But he didn't doubt Dien's words, because everyone else nodded in unison, except for him.

Next was Xia Duo's turn. "Aideliqi, when you learned spells before, did you feel it was very easy, but then inexplicably felt it became difficult?"

"Yes, that's it! How did you know?" Aideliqi asked hurriedly.

"That is the key to the problem. Your talent is quite good. At the beginning, intuition alone allowed you to successfully cast spells, but later, intuition was no longer enough for you to guess all the Spellcasting details correctly. That is why you felt inexplicably difficult; you lack theoretical guidance."

After speaking, Xia Duo looked at the other three. "Your situations are slightly better than Aideliqi's, but essentially the same. You only start looking for solutions when you encounter difficulties. Dien, if you had successfully learned 【Mending】 before, would you still have read that *Geometric Principles* book?"

"I—"

Dien looked embarrassed; clearly, Xia Duo had hit the mark.

"Becoming a Mage within a year seems like a shortcut, but these are just rigid Mages produced by high-intensity training, whereas a study plan can allow you to possess the ability for autonomous learning and even autonomous innovation."

"Xia Duo, are you really not an Archmage in disguise? I feel like you understand Magic better than those Official Mages!"

"Alright, stop saying such jokes in the future. If that reaches the ears of those Official Mages, I'll be in trouble!"

Although Xia Duo refused with his words, he was quite pleased in his heart, and he also felt that at least at the Apprentice stage, those Official Mages might not necessarily be better than him.

In the Mage Tower, Xia Duo discovered a phenomenon: many people only value specific spells and do not value Magic Principles. The most borrowed books in the Library are those on Spellcasting techniques, rather than books expounding on the essence of the Magic Net or spell Principles.

Of course, the most common books in the Library are those about Spellcasting techniques, followed by Spellbooks recording specific spells; books that truly explain theory are few and far between.

This situation naturally has realistic factors. Mastering specific spells means mastering specific power, and even money and status; but even if you master the theory, you still have to master power through spells.

Yet, learning spells does not necessarily require mastering the Principles. As long as you know all the Spellcasting details, you can learn that spell. This is the most direct reason why many people do not study theory.

From Apprentice to Archmage, and even beyond, every step has traces to follow. As long as you master the spells of each stage, you are a glamorous-looking Archmage!

And even the clumsiest Archmage is countless times stronger than the most glorious Apprentice! How many people are willing to waste time delving into Principles? In fact, Xia Duo is not very willing either, because there are too many things in this world more worthy of time investment than studying until one's hair turns white, but he has no other choice. No one will provide him with the various spells needed for upgrading for free, nor will anyone explain to him any Knowledge needed for upgrading for free.

Furthermore, compared to being a Magic user, he prefers to be a Controller of Magic.

15th Spell Laboratory.

As dinner approached, the first exchange activity of Xia Duo's Mutual Aid Study Group ended successfully. Although this exchange was mostly led by Xia Duo, the other members also basically opened their hearts.

The open and harmonious atmosphere lasted until the five were "kicked" out of the Spell Laboratory by the Tower Spirit.

"Time passed so quickly!"

"Yes! I never thought that Magic exchanges between Apprentices could be so refreshing!"

"However, the Tower Spirit is truly as punctual as ever! I was just wondering if the rental time was almost up, and I didn't expect to be kicked out suddenly!"

Xia Duo's words also made Aideliqi and the others complain, but the rules could not change for them. Finally, Aideliqi made a suggestion: "We cannot let you, the group leader, pay the fees for renting the Spell Laboratory. I think the four of us can contribute some Gold Coins specifically for the cost of renting the Spell Laboratory."

"I think that's feasible!" The other three agreed one after another.

But Xia Duo expressed opposition. "I don't think it's appropriate for you to pay individually. The Study Group is everyone's Study Group. We can earn money through the Study Group to maintain the expenses of the Spell Laboratory."

"Xia Duo, what ideas do you have?"

"Actually, I was just about to tell you. There are many Ordinary Apprentices in the Arcane Garden who can just share our work. Now that the Study Group is established, we can conduct exchanges that don't require demonstrations in the Arcane Garden and allow them to ask us questions. The income obtained can be used to rent the Spell Laboratory or for other purposes."

Xia Duo had actually prepared to say these words while in the Spell Laboratory, but he hadn't had time before being kicked out by the Tower Spirit: everyone would answer questions for Ordinary Apprentices together in exchange for remuneration to pay for the Spell Laboratory's expenses.

It can both strengthen their collective attributes and select reserve members; it's killing two birds with one stone.

On the contrary, if other members paid, it would make Xia Duo's act of organizing the Study Group seem a bit like a transaction. Although it is indeed a transaction in essence, Xia Duo hopes they will have more sense of belonging to the Study Group.

One has a greater sense of belonging to construction they participate in themselves.

Perhaps in the future, so-called membership fees or group fees will be collected, but not now.

The Study Group is actually the predecessor of an Arcanist organization. Cultivating a group of people with similar ideas is in Xia Duo's interest; communication creates new ideas.

Of course, it can also be said that Xia Duo is cultivating his own support, or starting from small things to transform the big environment. Heaven knows if a genius Arcanist will emerge in the group in the future and then give him a hand.

Without knowing that the author has given him a cheat, forming cliques should be standard operating procedure; one person cannot challenge the entire world.

(End of chapter)