Makeshift Solution

"Your situation isn't unprecedented. Throughout magical history, there have always been exceptionally gifted individuals who were either born with a natural affinity for the Weave or possessed such powerful minds that they could touch the Weave without ritual. This is actually a good thing; it means your potential is great enough to carry you far on this path."

"The most famous of these was the terminator of the Netherese era. Archmage Karsus, shortly after his birth, comprehended the spell 'Magic Trick' on his own, which even alerted the priests of the Goddess of Magic at the time. Another Dragon Cult leader is also rumored to have been awakened from birth."

Old Banterley took another puff from his pipe, a hint of confusion in his voice, "However, it's truly rare for someone to suddenly comprehend spells at your age, twenty-four."

Zhang Yuan paid no mind to the rest of Banterley's words. When someone is being compared to Karsus and Sammaster, the surprise and excitement overflowing within him made him blurt out, "Then how should I start learning spells? What books should I read? What do I need to prepare?"

The barrage of questions brought a wry smile to Old Banterley's face. "You, sigh, do you think learning spells is as simple as buying a jug of wine from Old Banterley? Pay the money, take the wine, drink it down, and it's done?"

Banterley's expression turned serious. He removed the pipe from his mouth, setting it aside, and looked directly at Zhang Yuan. "Perhaps you don't truly understand what it means to be a Mage, but I'm telling you, you can't be called a Mage simply because you can cast a few spells."

"Behind every spell lies its own construction, rules, and operating principles. More valuable than wielding this power is exploring the spell itself and controlling the impulse to misuse it."

Zhang Yuan nodded enthusiastically. The elder was in charge now; whatever he said was law.

Seeing that the young man before him wasn't really taking his words to heart, Old Banterley could only sigh. He wouldn't force a beginner who had just encountered magic to accept his philosophy. The years and life experience he had accumulated had taught him that the most difficult and foolish thing in the world is to impose one's own path on others.

"Even learning spells isn't easy," he continued. "Becoming even the lowest-level Mage has many prerequisites. Whether it's accumulating knowledge or honing skills, neither can be accomplished in a short time, at least not in the two days you might spend at an inn."

"You should join a reliable Mage organization or attach yourself to a learned mentor, rather than wandering around expecting to teach yourself spells," was the old Mage's advice.

Truth be told, Zhang Yuan wasn't incapable of understanding Banterley's admonitions, nor did he feel any aversion towards them. If he could truly find a reliable mentor, then according to Banterley, not rushing the process and slowly accumulating experience and refining himself wouldn't be a bad thing.

It was just that he had no connections. Already in his twenties, with no foundation in this foreign world and no deep pockets to impress anyone, he remained an outsider to magic to this day.

The immediate priority was to learn magic. As for research and control, those were too distant concerns. Zhang Yuan was clearer about that than anyone.

Suddenly struck by inspiration, Zhang Yuan bowed to the old Mage before him. "Master Banterley, please allow me to become your apprentice."

Old Banterley was startled. After hearing Zhang Yuan's request, he shook his head. "I'm sorry, I no longer take apprentices. Old Banterley has lived a busy life and just wants to spend his remaining days tending to his inn."

Seeing Zhang Yuan's disappointed expression, Old Banterley offered comfort. "The Sword Coast has many Mages more learned than I. Wise Mages are as numerous as stars in the night sky. If you have no target, I can recommend you to that fellow Habasser. I'm sure he won't turn away a talented young man like yourself."

Though somewhat reluctant, Zhang Yuan had found a glimmer of hope and couldn't press the matter of apprenticeship further. He thanked Banterley profusely and went back to his room to sleep.

As Zhang Yuan turned to leave, Old Banterley watched him with a thoughtful expression, not tapping him on the head three times as Zhang Yuan had secretly hoped.

The surprise, though delayed, had finally arrived.

"Wait," Old Banterley picked up his pipe again, smoking it intermittently. "I heard from Skar that you're going on a dangerous mission this time?"

"The captain told you that?" Zhang Yuan was a little surprised. His captain wasn't exactly known for being loose-lipped.

"I've known Skar for over ten years, and even so, he didn't tell me the specifics." The old Mage tapped his pipe on the counter, a hint of displeasure on his face. "Never mind, Old Banterley isn't particularly interested in your Flaming Fist affairs anyway. However, if you just need to deal with potential risks, I might have a temporary solution."

After Banterley Mirror Image explained, Zhang Yuan finally understood, nodding vigorously as if he did. The proposed plan was:

Since the novice Mage couldn't currently master new spells through his own study, a specific spell ritual would bypass the learning and memorization process, directly transmitting the spell model into his mind.

Hearing this proposal, Zhang Yuan couldn't help but feel it resembled the process of his system granting him initial spells.

Suddenly feeling a bit uneasy, Zhang Yuan quickly asked, "If such a ritual exists, wouldn't that allow for the mass production of Mages?"

The old Mage across him chuckled. "Are you dreaming? Unless it's a blessing ritual personally presided over by Mystra herself, there's no way to achieve the effect you're talking about."

"But you just said it can directly grant spells, isn't that creating spellcasters?"

"As I said earlier, the meaning of being a Mage goes far beyond simply casting a few spells. Moreover, this ritual wouldn't work on ordinary people," Banterley explained further. "The prerequisite for accepting this ritual is that the recipient must possess the mental capacity and Weave level for the corresponding spell rank. Otherwise, their sea of consciousness could be damaged by an overload of knowledge and spell models, or they could suffer spell backlash due to disconnection from the Weave."

The consequences were self-evident; just looking at the potential outcomes was enough to guess a rather tragic end.

"Even so, isn't this method a good way for Mages to learn?" Zhang Yuan was still somewhat confused.

"It's certainly convenient, but do you know the price?" Banterley said exasperatedly. "The core spells of this ritual are 'Dream Transmission,' a 5th-level Illusion spell, and 'Legend Lore,' a 6th-level Divination spell. Not to mention the spell components consumed during the ritual, this ritual itself requires at least 12th-level Clerics from specific churches like the Temple of Wisdom and the Church of Mystra to preside over it."

The penniless Zhang Yuan, clicking his tongue, began to worry about his wallet and asked nervously in a low voice, "How much would it cost approximately?"

The old Mage cast a sidelong glance at him. "Don't worry, you can't afford it anyway. The cost to impart just two 1st-level spells would be nearly 200 gold coins, and that's without the divine spells the Clerics would release for this. Charging you 500 gold coins would be a friend's discount."

500 gold coins? That heavy sum struck Zhang Yuan's mind to dust like a thousand-pound hammer, and his legs began to feel unsteady.

"Five hundred? How could it be five hundred? I knew things related to arcane arts wouldn't be cheap." The broke man began to mutter to himself.

Seeing that the young man was about to collapse, the old Mage felt both annoyed and amused. "Stop playing dumb. You don't have to pay this money now. You wouldn't be worth that much even if you sold yourself."

"Really? I don't have to pay this money?" Zhang Yuan, instantly revived, quickly pressed for clarification, fearing the elder might go back on his word.

"You don't have to pay it now, don't get me wrong," Banterley corrected him. "Once you become a formal Mage, you'll have plenty of opportunities to repay the debt."