Chapter 889: Three Categories of Spells, [Firm Will]

In Netheril, magic—and specifically spells—can generally be divided into three major categories: Creation, Transmutation, and Mind.

Among them, Creation, as the name implies, often involves bringing something out of nothing; of course, this is only on the surface, as all things have a source, but at least it appears as if something has been added out of thin air.

For example, spells like 【Mage Armor】, 【Fireball】, and 【Summon Mount】 can all be classified under the Creation School.

Transmutation, on the other hand, primarily concerns the change in an object's own state; naturally, this object is not limited to living or dead things, and can even be the Plane itself or some conceptual event.

For example, 【Mage Hand】, 【Flight】, 【Turn into Earth and Stone】, 【Dispel Magic】, 【Teleportation】, and so on, are all considered Transmutation spells.

Finally, the Mind category involves consciousness, senses, and even the soul and self; for instance, the series of Judgment Spells mastered by Xia Duo, as well as the 【Mind Link】 he created later, all belong to this category.

These three classifications are not absolute; they are merely a simple distinction made based on experience, and it is not impossible for a spell to span two or even three categories.

For example, the magic on the Dragon Skin Scroll that Xia Duo obtained from the Elf refugees—the large-scale blocking of teleportation and restriction of flight—is clearly Transmutation.

And the indiscriminate lightning attack against those other than the Spellcaster is undoubtedly Creation.

That is to say, this spell contains elements of two categories simultaneously, so it is actually acceptable to classify it under either.

Furthermore, there are some special spells like Necromancy or Prophecy that can actually be categorized into these three major types, depending on the specific effects of the spell.

From this perspective, magic is actually more like an applied technology; most people study spells not for the various Principles behind them, but to achieve a certain goal.

Even among Arcanists, how many are single-mindedly pursuing the highest realm of magic without caring about the external influence it brings!

Becoming an Arcanist is not about getting closer to the truth, but rather closer to the pinnacle of power and influence; even for Xia Duo, the initial purpose of learning magic was not pure.

Even now, it has only gained a bit more of an idealistic hue; an ideal can only be called an ideal if it can be combined with reality and has the possibility of being realized.

If it cannot, then it can only be called a fantasy.

Xia Duo currently does not yet have the qualifications for fantasy; perhaps those Great Arcanists can, and they might even drag the whole world along to indulge in their fantasies.

……

While flipping through the writings of Archmage Greta and letting his thoughts wander as much as possible, Xia Duo felt as if he were about to fall asleep.

Fortunately, the tea had steeped in time, and the originally highly penetrating, fresh scent of the Bonu Original Leaf had now become faint and elusive.

Catching a whiff of it occasionally was enough to perk him up, but such stimulation was still too shallow, so Xia Duo, disregarding the fact that the water was still a bit hot, took a small sip directly.

First came the scalding heat of the tea itself, followed by a strong, cool sensation that erupted from his mouth and rushed straight to his brain.

It was somewhat similar to mint; Xia Duo had eaten mint candies on Earth and had also drunk Elf mint wine after transmigrating, but that kind of coolness had remained only as a direct sensation on the flesh.

But the tea brewed from the Bonu Original Leaf was different; the water temperature itself was very hot, yet that coolness felt more like it was reflected upon the soul, making one's spirit feel refreshed.

And the greater difference between it and mint was that after the coolness of mint, it remained just cool—mint itself lacks layers of flavor—whereas Bonu Tea, after the coolness, turned mellow.

The warmth and softness at the level of the soul felt as if a pair of invisible little hands were soothing his exhausted spirit, yet this soothing did not induce sleepiness; instead, it made him exceptionally clear-headed.

It must be said, this Bonu Tea is simply a top-tier treasure for a Spellcaster!

……

While drinking tea, Xia Duo continued to flip through "Greta's Mind Protection"; apart from the introduction at the beginning regarding the Principles of Mind Magic, there was almost nothing else later on.

And the Principles introduced by Greta were actually not much different from what Xia Duo had researched himself, which also indirectly affirmed Xia Duo's research.

So-called Mind Magic is indeed centered on the Spellcaster's own mind, projecting a portion of one's consciousness and will outward to influence others.

Consequently, it may eventually lead to two branches; Xia Duo had guessed this before, and this time, he saw a similar statement in Greta's book.

Some Mages who specialize in Mind Magic tend to strengthen their own mind and will, thereby enhancing the influence when projecting it outward.

And some Mages prefer to amplify the influence of their own mind and will during the projection process, while also bringing about a weakening of the target's will.

Of course, one can also do both simultaneously, depending on the level of the specific Mage's attainment in the field of Mind Magic.

……

Xia Duo had long known that Archmage Greta knew Mind Magic; the Princess had previously specifically sent her over to interrogate Aquilain regarding Lord Hawk.

But whether Greta specialized in Mind Magic, Xia Duo was not quite sure; however, now, through the copy of "Greta's Mind Protection" in his hands, he felt that she might truly be quite profound in the field of Mind Magic!

When the two traded, they said it was 【Mind Barrier】 for 【Mind Link】, but in fact, this book contained more than just one 【Mind Barrier】 spell.

It was an entire series of spells regarding Mind Protection!

There was the 【Firm Will】 series from 1st Circle to 3rd Circle, which focused mainly on strengthening one's own will to resist Mind Magic; this is also the Mind Protection spell attached to the 【Mind Amulet】 commonly found on the market.

From 3rd Circle to 5th Circle, there was the 【Will Shield】 series, which focused mainly on external protection, primarily manifested in terms of will; if the enemy attacked from the perspective of consciousness or other angles, the effect would be somewhat discounted.

After that was the all-around protective 【Mind Barrier】, from 6th Circle to 8th Circle.

This was practically a perfect upgrade path for a novice Mage to go from zero to the path of an Archmage of Mind Protection!

Of course, this book was not very long and did not record all the spells of these three series; it only had one 1st Circle 【Firm Will】, one 3rd Circle 【Will Shield】, and one 6th Circle 【Mind Barrier】.

But in the book, Greta provided the logic for Ascending Rings, as well as the effects that corresponding higher-circle spells should have, which might be slightly insufficient for an average Mage.

But for Xia Duo, how was this any different from having the entire series of spells placed right in front of him?

And what he paid was merely a Learning Scroll for a 7th Circle 【Mind Link】; he had truly made a huge profit!

Hmm, perhaps Archmage Greta was really showing him goodwill and investing in him; after all, in that situation, the other party could have said nothing at all and not mentioned a trade!

Xia Duo was thoughtful; perhaps what Greta said about the Seven Towers spreading his reputation really only had benefits and no drawbacks.

Without the worries regarding his soul, he re-examined this matter, and his attitude underwent a slight shift.