Traveler

With no real direction left, Chen Yi could only place his hopes on Strong Projection.

This time, the tags were limited to mage, Fire attribute, and scholar.

Ding! Projection generated: Traveler. Confirm?

He glanced at the fee—3,000 Copper Coins per hour.

Judging by the price, this was another big shot.

"Confirm."

This time, a shabby-looking middle-aged man appeared. His clothes seemed to have been patched countless times, and his appearance leaned Western.

"Good day, sir. I am pleased to accompany you for a time."

Though down on his luck, the Traveler did not forget to display his refinement.

"Hello, sir." Chen Yi opened his mouth, but in the end, that was all he managed to say.

Charmander turned its face away. Comparing goods only made the inferior one look worse.

The Traveler smiled faintly and did not mind Chen Yi's manner of speaking. Noble etiquette was meant to restrain oneself, not others.

"So, what would you like to learn, sir?"

Chen Yi explained the situation he was currently facing to the Traveler.

After listening, the Traveler did not mock Chen Yi for overestimating himself. Instead, he regarded him more highly.

He organized his thoughts before speaking. "The issue with Fire spells is something many mages have continuously researched. In the end, the problems all lie in the medium and how to inflict damage quickly."

"Because of fire's unique nature, the only way to deal massive damage in an instant is through explosions."

Chen Yi naturally understood this. He nodded. It was like placing a hand over fire—brief contact could not cause a fatal injury.

Seeing that Chen Yi could still keep up, the Traveler realized that he had genuinely looked into the matter. "For fire to cause damage, it must continuously cling to the opponent and keep burning."

"That is very difficult to achieve. For a spell to continue existing in the natural world after being cast, it must consume Mana."

"The same goes for fire."

As he spoke, the Traveler snapped his fingers, and a small flame rose from his hand. When he stopped supplying Mana, the flame went out.

"Therefore, my suggestion is... to temporarily abandon this line of research. Once your knowledge is sufficiently extensive, sir, you may revisit it."

Since even a major figure in the spell world said so, Chen Yi naturally accepted the advice.

Afterward, they moved on to spellcasting lessons. Under the Traveler's explanation, the structures Chen Yi had once believed were unchangeable and beautiful seemed to have room for optimization.

That was the difference between having a teacher and studying alone.

One person's plans were limited!

They began by modifying the Fireball he knew best. Its familiar structure was altered beyond recognition, and what the spell summoned was no longer a fireball, but a small bird made of flames.

Both its projectile speed and trajectory were optimized.

The Traveler applauded, delighted by Chen Yi's excellence. "Sir, you may be the most talented person in Spell Structure I have ever seen. Now, I truly believe that Fire spells will be changed by your hands."

As he spoke, he removed his hat and bowed to Chen Yi. This was not because Chen Yi held a high position, but because he was grateful that Chen Yi might one day benefit the mage world.

Chen Yi continued absorbing the Traveler's knowledge. Apart from Spell Analysis and Flash, which he could not understand, all the other skills he had learned were optimized.

The feeling of steadily improving filled Chen Yi with delight, and he immediately renewed the projection for another two hours.

After the Traveler disappeared, Chen Yi stayed where he was to consolidate what he had learned, taking out his notes to verify his memories.

"As expected of Strong Projection. Those Copper Coins were well spent."

Whether it was Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's training before or the Traveler's instruction, both had allowed Chen Yi to keep improving.

These were not improvements to his Base Stats, but improvements in how he used his power.

"It's time to test my theories."

Chen Yi did not choose to compete against players of the same level. He was confident that he could crush those players who relied on Smart Casting.

Besides, the Copper Coins Chen Yi had invested could have equipped a player in a full set of Green Quality gear. It would be strange if he were not stronger than players who used Smart Casting.

"Simulated Battlefield, Zombie King and Zombie Doctor combination."

As Copper Coins were spent, the Zombie King and Zombie Doctor from Chen Yi's memories were recreated, while the surroundings transformed into the setting of Plants vs. Zombies World.

Without a major breakthrough in his Main Attribute and without teammates, he would face the Zombie King alone!

"Roar!"

The Zombie Doctor shrieked, "Kill him!"

The Zombie King leaped from the spot. In the next instant, dust filled the sky, and spiderweb-like cracks spread across the ground where Chen Yi stood.

Previously, Chen Yi could only evade by using Repelling Fire Ring to strike himself. Now, he could easily dodge with an explosive burst of physical ability.

Mental Power tracked the Zombie King's position through the dust, and three firebirds instantly tore through the air toward it.

"Boom!"

Both the projectile speed and the scale of the explosions far surpassed his previous Fireballs.

The impact of the blast scattered the surrounding dust, and the Zombie King charged at Chen Yi with heavy steps.

But as it ran, one foot sank directly into a small pit. Its massive body crashed to the ground, and before it could rise, arrows formed from flames shot toward it.

The arrows sank into its body, and their once-stable structure began to swell.

Its steel-modified body gradually turned red under the unceasing bombardment. The clumsy Zombie King could not touch Chen Yi even once.

Two minutes later, the Zombie King lay on the ground while Chen Yi remained in perfect condition.

"The firebirds still have room for improvement. Their projectile paths should not be straight lines."

"The method Fire Rocket uses to alter its structure upon impact also needs optimization."

"I still have too few methods available. I should not limit the forms my attacks can take."

Seeing that his trainer seemed to have grown stronger again, Charmander immediately became anxious. If his trainer was this strong, would his Pokémon not have almost no presence at all?

Under Charmander's pleading gaze, Chen Yi helplessly nodded. Simulated Battlefield cost x2.

His seemingly abundant Copper Coins began to steadily dwindle.

Player Wu Di received an anonymous email.

He had just returned from the enhancer and felt as though the world had lost all love.

Wang Zhanbo said weakly, "Who is looking for me at a time like this?"

After opening the email, he received 2,000 Copper Coins, a Green Quality longsword, and a letter.

Chen Yi had left these for him. Before recovering his memories, Chen Yi had received much care from Wang Zhanbo's parents, so he also wanted to help this little brother.

Looking at the familiar tone, Wang Zhanbo knew who it was even though no name had been left.

There was not much written in the letter. It merely advised Wang Zhanbo not to use Smart Casting and to try understanding and mastering his skills.

In truth, Chen Yi was simply encouraging him to join the Scholar School rather than merely stacking stats.

The letter also casually remarked that Strong Projection and Simulated Battlefield were truly good things, completely unlike the Copper Coin-wasting places other players claimed them to be.

Little brother Wang Zhanbo believed it!

When he wanted to reply, he discovered that the player was shown as being in-game, so he could only leave a message.

"Hmph, my little brother is actually being forced to hide. Looks like he provoked someone he should not have. Once I emerge from my bitter training, I'll avenge him!"

"I, Wang Zhanbo, will tell them who the true protagonist is."

If you can't find the book by searching its title, try searching for the author instead. It may simply have been renamed!