A Stopgap Measure

"Your situation isn't without precedent. Throughout the history of magic, there have always been extraordinarily gifted individuals—some born with an innate affinity for the Weave, and others whose minds were so powerful that they could touch the Weave without performing rituals. In truth, this is a good thing. It means your potential is enough to carry you a long way down this path."

"The most famous example was undoubtedly the one who brought the Netherese era to an end. The archmage Karsus grasped the basics of magic on his own soon after birth, an event that even alarmed the priestesses of the goddess of magic. Another Dragon Cult leader was also said to have awakened his powers innately."

Old Banterley took another puzzled puff from his pipe. "Still, it's extraordinarily rare for someone to suddenly grasp magic on their own at the age of twenty-four."

Zhang Yuan didn't hear a word of what Banterley said after that. When he heard the other man comparing him to Karsus and Sammaster, delight and excitement overflowed from his heart. He hurriedly asked, "How should I start learning magic? What books should I read? What do I need to prepare?"

The string of questions left old Banterley smiling wryly. "You—sigh, do you think learning magic is as simple as buying a jug of wine from old Banterley here? Pay the money, take the wine, gulp it down, and you're done?"

Banterley's expression turned serious. He removed the pipe from the corner of his mouth and set it aside, then looked straight at Zhang Yuan. "Perhaps you don't understand what becoming a wizard truly means, but let me tell you this: being able to throw out a few spells absolutely isn't enough to be called a wizard."

"Behind every spell lie its own structure, laws, and operating principles. Compared with wielding this power, what's more precious is investigating the spells themselves and restraining the urge to misuse them."

Zhang Yuan hurriedly nodded in agreement. At the moment, the other man was the authority here, so whatever he said went.

Seeing that the young man before him hadn't really taken his words to heart, old Banterley could only sigh. He no longer insisted that a beginner who had just encountered magic accept his ideals. His years and life experience had long taught him that the most difficult—and most foolish—thing in the world was forcing one's own path upon others.

Even learning a spell was no easy matter. "There are many prerequisites to becoming even the lowest-level wizard. Whether it's building up knowledge or honing your skills, neither can be accomplished in a short time—certainly not by staying at an inn for two days."

"You should join a reliable wizarding organization or seek out a knowledgeable mentor, rather than wandering around and expecting to teach yourself magic." This was the old wizard's advice.

In truth, Zhang Yuan didn't fail to understand Banterley's warning, nor did he resent it. If he could really find a reliable mentor, then, as Banterley had said, there was nothing wrong with not rushing for success and slowly building and tempering himself.

Unfortunately, he had no connections at all. He was already in his twenties, had no foundation in this other world, and lacked the substantial wealth needed to impress anyone. Even now, he could only remain a complete outsider to magic.

His most urgent task was to learn magic first. As for research and restraint, those were still too far away. Zhang Yuan understood that better than anyone.

Suddenly, as if struck by divine inspiration, Zhang Yuan bowed deeply to the old wizard before him. "Master Banterley, please allow me to become your apprentice."

Old Banterley was startled. After hearing his request, he shook his head. "Sorry, I no longer take apprentices. Old Banterley has been busy for most of his life. I only want to guard my inn and live out the rest of my days."

Seeing the disappointment in Zhang Yuan's eyes, old Banterley consoled him. "The Sword Coast has as many knowledgeable and wise wizards as the stars in the night sky. If you have no particular goal, I can recommend you to that old fellow Habasser. I'm sure he won't turn away a talented young man like you."

Although he was somewhat unwilling to give up, Zhang Yuan at least had a glimmer of hope now. He couldn't keep dwelling on the matter of becoming an apprentice, so he could only thank Banterley repeatedly before returning to sleep.

As Zhang Yuan turned to leave, old Banterley merely watched him thoughtfully. He didn't come over and rap him three times on the head, much to someone's disappointment.

The surprise had come late, but it had arrived all the same.

"Wait." Old Banterley picked up his pipe again and took a few idle puffs. "I heard from Skar that you're going on a dangerous mission this time?"

"Your captain even told you that?" Zhang Yuan was a little surprised. His own captain wasn't the sort to blab.

"Skar and I have known each other for more than ten years. Even so, he didn't tell me the specifics." The old wizard tapped his pipe against the counter, looking slightly displeased. "Forget it. Old Banterley isn't particularly interested in your Flaming Fist business anyway. However, if you only need to deal with the risks you might encounter, I do have a stopgap measure."

After Banterley Mirror Image's explanation, Zhang Yuan finally understood—or at least nodded furiously to show that he did—the sort of plan the other man had proposed:

Since a certain rookie wizard currently couldn't learn new spells through his own studies, he could bypass the process of learning and memorizing through a specific spell ritual and directly transmit the spell models into his mind.

The more Zhang Yuan listened to this proposal, the more it sounded like the process by which his system had granted him his starting spells.

Suddenly feeling a little panicked, Zhang Yuan hurriedly asked, "If such a ritual exists, couldn't it be used to mass-produce wizards?"

The old wizard across from him let out an amused laugh. "Are you dreaming? Unless the Lady of Mystery herself personally presides over a blessing ritual, there's no way it could have the effect you're describing."

"But you just said it could directly grant someone spells. Isn't that the same as creating a spellcaster?"

"As I said before, being a wizard means far more than being able to throw out a few spells. Besides, this ritual has no effect on ordinary people." Old Banterley continued explaining. "The prerequisite for undergoing the ritual is that the subject must possess the mental capacity and Weave level required by the corresponding spell circle. Otherwise, either their mindscape will be damaged by the impact of excessive knowledge and spell models, or the spell will backlash because they're disconnected from the Weave."

There was no need to ask what would happen afterward. Just looking at the possible consequences was enough to tell that the outcome would be utterly miserable.

"Even so, isn't this method still a very good way for wizards to learn?" Zhang Yuan remained somewhat puzzled.

"It is convenient, certainly, but do you know what it costs?" Old Banterley said irritably. "The ritual's core spells are the fifth-circle illusion spell Dream Transmission and the sixth-circle divination spell Legend Lore. Never mind the spell components consumed during the ritual—the ritual itself must be presided over by at least level-twelve clerics from the Temple of Wisdom, the church of the goddess of magic, and several other specific churches."

Hearing that, a certain pauper clicked his tongue and began worrying about his purse. He asked weakly, "About how many gold pieces would it take?"

The old wizard gave him a sidelong glance. "Don't worry about it. You can't afford it anyway. The basic cost of transmitting two first-circle spells alone is nearly two hundred gold pieces. Add in the divine spells cast by the clerics, and charging you five hundred gold pieces would be a friendly price."

Five hundred gold pieces? That heavy figure smashed Zhang Yuan's mind to powder like a thousand-jun hammer, and even his feet began to feel unsteady.

"Five hundred? How could it be five hundred? I knew things connected to the arcane wouldn't be cheap." The poor man began muttering like a wronged widow.

Seeing that the fellow was nearly unable to walk, the old wizard was both exasperated and amused. "Stop pretending to be insane. You're not expected to pay that money right now. Even if you sold yourself, you wouldn't be worth that much."

"Really? I don't have to pay it?" Zhang Yuan instantly revived and hurriedly pressed him, afraid the other man might change his mind.

"You don't have to pay it now. Don't get that wrong." Banterley corrected him. "Once you become a full-fledged wizard, you'll have plenty of opportunities to pay it back."