Unfortunately, for a group of newcomers, learning magic really wasn't that difficult. It only took two days for Tony and the others to work out the principles behind the shield spell and deduce the structure of a spell that could form weapons.
However, this so-called weapon-forming spell could only create melee weapons. Swords, spears, and clubs were all possible, but trying to form a firearm like Tony wanted was completely out of the question.
After all, firearms relied on ammunition to inflict damage. The introductory spell Luo Xia and the others were learning only involved shaping energy. They still couldn't use magic to simulate an explosion, so creating a firearm was naturally impossible.
"Give me some time, and I can develop a new kind of weapon specifically for this special energy." Tony thumped his chest.
Luo Xia believed in his abilities, but The Ancient One didn't give them that much time. Early on the third day, she brought them back to the Mirror Dimension and summoned the charred monster from before.
This time, though, everyone was prepared. They weren't blasted away by the beam right off the bat. They either dodged with the agility of their spirit forms or met it with shields whose defenses they had strengthened.
After several days of practice, their magic hadn't yet reached a whole new level, but the shields they conjured no longer shattered at the slightest touch. At the very least, they could withstand the beam for two or three seconds.
And these magically conjured shields could be dispersed and re-formed at will. After one was shattered, they only needed a brief moment to recover before they could conjure it again.
This time, they fought with some real skill, managing to trade blows with the monster for several rounds.
"This monster can only