So, So, So Good

So... So... So Good

Lein really wanted to tell Downs that if he wanted to create an illusion spell, he should first picture every detail of the object in his mind, understand its structure, get a clear sense of its materials, and even recreate its history. At the very least, he could finish off with the old gag of "脱蕾丝*安" and then he'd be able to create a truly convincing illusion.

Lein still kept quiet.

If his own illusion spell was aimed at creating the perfect counterfeit, then Downs's method of stripping "mass" from a real object was, without a doubt, a step above.

In fact, when Lein checked the system carefully, he found another line in faint text below Downs's [High Illusion Technique]: [Once Downs has mastered this spell, it can be upgraded to (Real Illusion Technique)!]

Now that was more like it.

But... as his master, I don't feel very accomplished!

There was nothing seriously wrong with this disciple. It was just that being his master made your blood pressure bounce all over the place, shooting up one moment and dropping the next.

Downs's ridiculous stunt was pretty much like reading a four-panel comic where someone named a price in a speech bubble, then reaching into the bubble and taking out the thing inside to pay them.

This kind of effortless, outrageous break through the fourth wall had Lein habitually questioning reality. He had to reassure himself again and again: Damn it, this is a world of magic.

Of course, every time, the transmigrator would eventually flip the table in his heart in frustration.

Watching his master stand with his hands behind his back, gazing up at the western sky at a 45-degree angle, his silhouette just a tiny bit melancholy, Downs panicked yet again. "Master, what's wrong? Did I do something wrong? Did I understand the magic incorrectly?"

Lein didn't answer directly. He pointed with his right index finger toward a nearby branch swaying in the wind. "What's that?"

"A branch?" Downs replied uncertainly.

"And after it's been burned?"

"Charcoal?"

"Then what's making it sway?"

"The wind?"

"What if I told you it wasn't the wind moving, but your heart?"

Downs abruptly fell silent. He suddenly realized what he'd just done.

Right! He'd only had a thought, and he'd stripped the "mass" from the iron sword.

And he'd actually succeeded.

Downs began to understand what his master meant. "Master, are you saying that the same thing can have different properties and undergo different transformations?"

Lein didn't answer directly. He simply shook his head slowly. "I told you, I only teach [knowledge]. What you understand from it is up to you, and has nothing to do with me. It wouldn't be strange to derive a thousand different spells from the same theory."

At that moment, Lein's air of a venerable senior expert was at its peak, and Downs suddenly felt a deep sense of reverence.

The good disciple immediately bowed deeply to Lein.

"Right, Master. About the convex lens focusing lesson you gave me yesterday, and that thing you called a [telescope]—I think I've figured out a little something."

"Oh? Is that so?" Lein turned his head slightly.

As a transmigrator, it was only natural to want to make a telescope or something. But Lein had tinkered with it himself, and his craftsmanship wasn't quite up to par. Those two blurry lenses clearly weren't suitable for a telescope.

At that moment, Downs raised his hand, and two balls of air condensed before his eyes, forming the lenses Lein had taught him about.

Unlike glass lenses, these "lenses" formed from Wind Element seemed purer and clearer!

Before Lein could comment, the spell—which had taken Downs a full half-minute—seemed to be complete.

The system notification arrived right on time, as always: [Congratulations, Host. Your disciple, Downs Quijote, has successfully cast the level 3 divination spell (Eagle Eye Technique). Casting time: 30 seconds. Long-distance vision: 500 meters...]

If that had been all, Downs still wouldn't have shown just how monstrous he was. What he did next nearly made Lein's jaw drop.

"Master, I was wondering if this could be used with the [Electromagnetic Gun]. So I..." Downs acted as soon as the thought came to him. He held the two Wind Element "lenses" in front of his left eye, then took out a Silver Coin with his right hand.

The next second, amid the buzz of electricity, the Silver Coin shot more than two hundred meters away. It struck a tree branch with pinpoint accuracy, shattering it and sending leaves flying, before embedding itself deep in the mountainside behind the tree. It left behind not only a deep, fist-sized hole, but also a web of cracks spreading across the mountainside...

The Electromagnetic Gun was already ridiculous enough. Now he could put an eight-times scope on it!?

The system chimed in again:

[Congratulations! Your disciple, Downs, has comprehended the Super Magic Specialty (Magic Amplification). He can cast spells over greater distances. Effect: This specialty doubles the range of close-, medium-, and long-range spells. This Super Magic Specialty can be shared with his master...]

[Since Downs has successfully cast three level 3 spells, his class level has increased to level 6, making him an official High-Level Mage!]

Happiness (shock) had arrived so suddenly it left him bald.

No matter how hard the master racked his brain, he couldn't understand why this disciple was so monstrous.

"I want some quiet."

"Who's Quiet?"

"..."

Damn it!

His disciple was leveling up so easily. Would there even be anything left for him to teach as a master?

Didn't I deserve to save face as his master?

[Congratulations, Host. Since you have successfully taught a high-level professional for the first time, this system will begin upgrading...]

Ahem!

So... so... so good!

Once he had shaken off that air of a venerable senior expert, Lein's voice became calm and untroubled. "You fool, haven't you noticed anything different about yourself?"

"I think... my body feels a little lighter. Hmm, I can sense things from farther away, and... my magic power has increased!?" Downs stared at his own hands in disbelief.

They were no longer merely the hands of someone with calluses from sword practice. He could also see Wind Element flowing at his fingertips, as well as other elements nearby.

The whole world seemed to have changed in his sight.

With every breath and every movement, he seemed to affect the flow of the elements around him.

"Ah! Master, I..."

Lein walked over slowly, a smile at the corners of his mouth, and gently patted his disciple on the shoulder. "Don't get too excited! And don't abuse your power... Mr. Downs Quijote, High-level Mage!"

With that, Lein strode past Downs.

After the brief shock had passed, Downs looked back at his master's tall, mysterious figure. The wind sent the hem of his clothes fluttering, and he could almost still hear the master's warm, encouraging chuckle in his ears. Downs suddenly realized that he had finally become part of his master's mysterious legend.

He didn't chase after Lein. Instead, he dropped to his knees on the spot, pressed his forehead to the ground, and called out loudly to his master's retreating back. "Thank you for raising me, Master! Although I'm not yet worthy of being your disciple, one day I'll make you proud!"