Chapter 7: Apprentice and Spell

The Magic Mark Meditation Method belongs to the Third Generation Meditation Method.

Both the Black Book and the Enlightenment Inheritance mention that in the ancient era of the First Generation Meditation Method, the threshold for entry was extremely high; Wizard Apprentices had no rank distinctions, only a single stage from Apprentice to Official Wizard.

By the Second Generation Meditation Method, the greater environment of the Wizard world had changed because of it; entry difficulty was successfully lowered, Wizard Apprentices began to be divided into three clear ladder-like ranks, and only then came the Official Wizard; furthermore, depending on the Meditation Method's school, different Talent Spells would be generated at the Third-Rank Apprentice stage.

By the Third Generation Meditation Method, through the efforts of Great Wizards, the Spiritual Power aptitude requirement for entry was lowered once more; Wizard Apprentices became five ranks, each stage smoother, Spiritual Power more condensed, and the difficulty of promotion to Official Wizard also reduced — of course, reduced relatively; those who stall are the true norm on the supernatural path.

This Third Generation Meditation Method no longer has the Second Generation's Talent Spells; instead, every stage possesses a Temporary Spell Slot.

Temporary Spell Slots, also called Pseudo Spell Slots — the Great Wizards' starting point was to increase low-rank Apprentices' survival capability; by the time one reaches Fifth-Rank Wizard Apprentice, one possesses five Pseudo Spell Slots.

That is to say, when he becomes a First-Rank Wizard Apprentice, it is best to prepare two different Zero-Circle Spells: one is the indispensable one used for Solidification, accompanying him for life; the other is stored in the Temporary Spell Slot.

The so-called Temporary Spell Slot, as the name implies, requires re-empowering the Spell Model during Meditation to store it inside after each use; every Casting requires preparatory work in advance.

The Magic Mark Meditation Method's Temporary Spell Slots are precisely those Magic Marks; a Fifth-Rank Wizard Apprentice possesses five Magic Marks, each capable of storing one Zero-Circle Spell.

This kind of Pseudo Spell Slot, like a true Spell Slot, allows low-consumption rapid Casting; the drawback is there is no opportunity to replenish in intense battle, nor can it help one perceive the true essence of a Spell like a true Spell Slot; but it has an advantage: the so-called "temporary" means it can change the stored Spell according to one's thoughts and circumstances.

Luge looked at the resources on hand, recalling the various choices and dilemmas of that Kalu in the Diary.

A very large portion of Wizard Apprentices choose the Fireball Technique for Solidification.

Zero-Circle Spell, Fireball Technique — its power is much weaker than the One-Ring Spell Fireball, but in certain situations it is even more practical than Fireball; its volume is smaller, only the size of an ordinary person's fist, its speed faster; as a Zero-Circle Spell its Casting consumption is naturally much lower than a One-Ring Spell, so Official Wizards also use a shot or two of Fireball Technique on certain occasions — for instance, not seeking power, only to quickly ignite a distant target.

With the Fireball Technique Solidified in the Spell Slot, a Wizard Apprentice can be said to be instantly reborn; the Solidified Spell's ultra-low consumption allows a First-Rank Apprentice to shoulder a large volume of Casting operations, like a Fireball-launching Wizard Tool that grew legs; with long-term Casting, one also gains more insights into this Solidified Spell, and consumption drops even lower.

He pondered for a moment, picked out a book explaining the Fireball Technique, and placed it on his left side as a backup option.

He then looked toward the remaining few books and the six Scrolls to the side.

From the Diary he learned that these Scrolls were precisely made by Kalu; producing and selling them was Kalu's main source of income; this kind of Scroll is called an Inheritance Scroll, not used in battle; its main function is for those low-level Spells one needs to learn but need not spend time and effort researching.

For example, among these six Scrolls, two are Inheritance Scrolls of the Secret Technique Mark — presumably because they usually sell well, so more stock was prepared.

The Secret Technique Mark is a Zero-Circle Spell every Wizard must learn, but in the general understanding, this Spell has no need to waste time researching; simply Mastering it is enough — then one only needs to spend a few Magic Stones, buy an Inheritance Scroll, unfold it lightly, and the Spell Model can quickly construct and generate in the mind with guidance.

Everything falls into place naturally.

Besides the two Secret Technique Mark Scrolls, four different Inheritance Scrolls remain.

Depilation, Zero-Circle Spell.

A minor Spell acting on hair that no one cares about; perhaps it sees some use when one can't be bothered to wash and groom; many believe trying to learn this Spell is inferior to preparing a sharp razor. But fortunately the world has the great invention of Inheritance Scrolls; this Spell is mostly used for pranks among friends — for just a few Magic Stones one can forever master the supreme secret art of making a friend go bald; do it regularly to promote mutual friendship.

Bull Strength, Zero-Circle Spell.

Everyone knows Bull Strength is slightly weaker than Giant Strength Technique in strength amplification, but it grants the recipient astonishing endurance; in wilderness survival it performs better than Giant Strength Technique.

Foul Skin, Zero-Circle Spell.

Very stinky, also very strong — can even stun enemies; the cost is having to endure it oneself, but the cost is also an advantage: as the Caster one gradually adapts, and repeated Casting residue makes the Spell effect gradually approach the legendary constant effect; it is a very peculiar Zero-Circle Spell, mainly used by low-rank Wizard Apprentices to evade large Underground Beasts; Casting it might get one beaten, but absolutely will not end up in a beast's mouth.

Spiritual Boiling, Zero-Circle Spell.

After Casting, Spiritual Power temporarily becomes more active, maintaining wakefulness, with a slight effect against mental confusion; overall its use is not large, but it has a special trait that makes it world-renowned in the Wizard world: once Solidified in the Spell Slot and fused with the Spiritual Space, it enhances a Wizard Apprentice's aptitude, increases Meditation efficiency, and promotes Spiritual Power Growth.

Of course, this effect is weak, but from another angle it is also strong — because it lasts a lifetime; this is something other arts can hardly achieve; Zero-Circle arts like Fireball Technique basically rarely appear once one becomes an Official Wizard.

But choosing to Solidify Spiritual Boiling in the Spell Slot equals bidding farewell to powerful means during the Wizard Apprentice period.

He set down the Scrolls in hand, withdrawing the Spiritual Power used for perception.

He believed the information in these Scrolls should be viewed with a discount; for instance, the Zero-Circle Spell Bull Strength — the "astonishing endurance" mentioned inside naturally has effect, no fakery, but can be slightly exaggerated; the so-called "astonishing" might merely be a rhetorical flourish; after all, these Scrolls are commodities.

The Half-Man said that before he masters six Runes, he would be able to learn one Zero-Circle Spell — although this brainless mysterious person's predictions are not accurate.

But the implication in the words was a guess that he would not fancy the things on these crash-course Scrolls.

As for those few books, besides Fireball Technique, the Diary and bestiary-type books for broadening knowledge, there are three more Zero-Circle Spell books.

The three Spells are respectively Magic Skin Technique, Ear Planting Technique, and Freezing Ray.

Presumably in the Half-Man's estimation, he would choose to attempt from among these, then spend some time Mastering one of them.

The Diary writes that each person has some mysterious, different Spell Affinity in the dark; the Half-Man giving him these several choices was probably fearing he would not encounter a compatible one, and be too stupid to ever learn it.

From among the miscellaneous items he took out an hourglass-shaped object; inside there was no sand, but a rhombus Crystal Stone embedded; perceiving with Spiritual Power made its use clear — the Crystal Stone lit up with soft white light under Spiritual Power's guidance.

The Half-Man's consideration was quite thorough, letting him have a concept of time even in this sunless place.

The rhombus Crystal Stone is not just a Lamp; its upper and lower ends take turns emitting light as time changes — one end represents day, one end represents night; one full rotation means a day has passed. Much more useful than the Stomach Timing Method; at least in this underground world there is now a clear concept of day count.

He calculated his food, planning to take two days to first roughly read through the four Zero-Circle Spell books once, to see if he is compatible with them.

The reason he is so firmly convinced of this Affinity rhetoric is because it has already appeared before his eyes.

Although unwilling to admit it, when he perceived the Inheritance Scrolls of the Zero-Circle Spells Depilation and Foul Skin with Spiritual Power, he would feel in the depths of his heart a mysterious, indescribable sensation.

As if those were the good friends he had waited for long.

Kalu's Diary also frequently mentions a term called Spiritual Light; that inexpressible feeling is just like the throbbing of the Spiritual Light.

Some Wizards, when forced to face major choices yet lacking powerful grounds, choose to follow the guidance of the Spiritual Light in their hearts.

A cursory first reading was faster than imagined.

When he set down the last book, having already read more than half of the Fireball Technique, less than a day had passed.

The four books were arranged before him by him.

He raised his hand and stroked across the four books one by one.

He did not want to continue like this anymore.

Perhaps, his mindset needs to change.

He lifted his head, gaze sweeping over the Cave Wall's recesses, looking at the placed Worm Shells and beast hide materials.

Habits from the past have always been influencing him.

In that former comfortable environment, he always liked to do things in one step.

He considered that more cost-effective, also wiser — even if it required long waiting, enduring hardship and suffering in the process; even if sometimes it was unnecessary — but he was always like that, because it had become habit.

Right now is no longer that environment, and there is no comfort to speak of.

Perhaps, at the appropriate time, make a choice suited only to the present.

That's also not bad, it's what he should do now, that would be even better, no need to put too much energy into thinking about future matters, in this environment there might not be a future.

Now, he can confirm, these four Zero-Circle Spells are all not something he can learn in a short time, and he is merely a little Kobold with no resistance capability, even if he said Aijin could knock him down in two or three punches, this strong Kobold girl would not agree with that kind of statement.

"This perhaps really is a not bad choice……"

He set the book aside, picked up the Foul Skin Scroll.

Since he's going to use an Inheritance Scroll, naturally it's choosing between Foul Skin and Bull Strength, after Casting Bull Strength the Spell's buff lasts for a period of time, very Suitable for use as a Temporary Spell Slot, while Foul Skin requires continuous consumption of Spiritual Power to maintain after Casting, Suitable for Solidifying into a real Spell Slot.

Foul Skin is also very Suitable for this kind of lone walker, increasing the survival probability of hunting and Survival in the Wilderness.

Moreover he is very Expectant, to Solidify this Zero-Circle Spell that is Suitable for him into a Spell Slot.

The Black Book writes, for people with Generally talent, before becoming a Rank 1 Wizard Apprentice, it's best to only construct one Zero-Ring Spell Model in the Spiritual Space, to avoid interfering with the Magic Mark's formation. After completing Promotion, once rested and Recovery is good, then all these Inheritance Scrolls can be used up, including the other Spell he is Suitable for, Depilation.

He took a Deep Breath, slowly unfolded the Foul Skin Inheritance Scroll, Spiritual Power naturally resonated with it.

(Chapter End)