The First Meditation

Anthony was an impatient man. The moment Xia Ming agreed, he could not wait to drag Xia Ming off to teach him magic. Xia Ming was equally enthusiastic; one was willing to teach, the other eager to learn.

"Magic is the most mysterious and powerful energy in this world. The Canaan Continent is rich in magical elements, and mages can command these elements for their own use, thereby gaining power that transcends nature!" Anthony gestured with both hands as he began his explanation with vivid enthusiasm.

Anthony spoke at great length. Knowing that Xia Ming was a complete novice, he began with the origins of magic, explaining everything in detail while keeping it simple and easy to understand.

To learn magic, the first essential was naturally meditation. Those with magical talent could sense magical elements through meditation; this was the most fundamental law of magic.

Having finally finished his long lecture on magical knowledge, Anthony said expectantly, "All right, try meditating now. Let me see."

Meditation!

Close his eyes and still his mind. Following Anthony's guidance, Xia Ming immediately felt as though he had entered another world after closing his eyes. Before him was not utter darkness, but pinpricks of light, like stars scattered across the night sky. Those lights seemed alive, and Xia Ming could actually sense an unusual affinity from them.

"Damn it!" Anthony, who was watching from the side, nearly jumped up. His expression was like that of a cat whose tail had been stepped on, and he could not help cursing a few more times.

Xia Ming had entered a meditative state almost instantly. That damned speed gave Anthony the urge to cover his face and let out a long sigh. Which mage had not struggled bitterly for months before entering meditation? Yet this brat had done it as easily as eating and drinking. Comparing people really could make one die of anger.

Anthony had originally prepared a whole speech, intending to properly guide the brat once he failed at meditation. Clearly, there was no need for it now.

Xia Ming emerged from his meditative state and opened his eyes. "I think I can sense the magical elements."

Anthony felt the corner of his mouth twitch. He snapped irritably, "What are you so smug about, brat? Meditation is only a basic skill every mage must master!"

Xia Ming was still savoring the wondrous, indescribable feeling of meditation when he asked curiously, "Teacher, how long did it take you to enter a meditative state back then?"

That one question left the old mage wanting to crawl into a hole. Back then, it had taken him several weeks to enter meditation, and that result had been the best among that batch of magic apprentices. Even his teacher had praised him as a genius. But compared to this brat, what did that amount to?

Anthony coughed and put on a stern expression. "All right, you've passed the meditation stage. Next, I'll teach you elemental combinations." So-called elemental combinations involved something relatively core to magic: arranging magical elements in an orderly manner. It was one of the most important steps in casting a spell.

Yet Anthony made an astonishing discovery. Even elemental combinations, which were somewhat difficult for a magic apprentice, were no problem at all for Xia Ming. This brat seemed born for magic. No matter how complicated the incantation or elemental combination, he could master it completely after practicing it only a few times.

By the time Xia Ming had successfully cast a first-tier water spell, Anthony was utterly numb.

Anthony's expression as he looked at Xia Ming was complicated—teachers generally hoped their students would be outstanding and clever, but when a student was too clever, that seemed to be a headache as well.

Still, having picked up such a monstrously gifted student for free, Anthony would wake laughing even in his dreams.

"Teacher, I think I've already mastered elemental combinations?" Xia Ming looked curiously at Anthony, who was grinning to himself. No matter how he looked at it, the old mage's smile seemed to harbor ill intent.

"This..." The old mage rubbed his hands awkwardly, then hurriedly assumed an expression as if it were only natural. "Mm, you've barely passed." Anthony did not lavish praise on Xia Ming's talent. Instead, he gave Xia Ming the mistaken impression that everything he had done so far was merely what was expected.

In truth, Anthony feared that if he kept praising Xia Ming, the brat would become so pleased with himself that he would lose his head. That would be more trouble than it was worth. In this regard, the old mage had put considerable thought into it.

After coughing, the old mage spoke earnestly. "Brat, your talent for magic is indeed quite good, but don't get cocky. Having talent does not mean you'll achieve great things in the future. There are so many extraordinarily gifted people in this world, but how many truly become legends?"

"In the field of magic, talent alone cannot solve everything. Talent may make you a decent mage, but it can never make you a legendary mage. If you want to achieve something in magic, it will be far more difficult than you imagine. A disciple of mine, Anthony, cannot settle for merely being a decent mage!"

Talent, focus, comprehension, foundations... these were all qualities a legendary mage needed. Not one could be lacking.

"Yes, I understand." Feeling that the old mage was sincerely thinking of his welfare, Xia Ming was somewhat moved.

The old mage was very pleased with Xia Ming's attitude and nodded approvingly. "Very good. I'll teach you several low-tier magic incantations. Your task for the next few days is to master them. If there is anything you don't understand, you may ask me at any time."

Magic incantations were almost the most important and precious possessions of a mage. They concerned a mage's inheritance and could only be passed on to close disciples. Many mages possessed incantations that were entirely unique.

Having obtained the magic incantations, Xia Ming treasured them as though he had found a priceless gem and immediately began studying them. The old mage did not disturb him, instead quietly leaving the room and giving Xia Ming space to think.

Xia Ming eagerly began studying the incantations. Closing his eyes, he entered a meditative state once more.

The magical elements resurfaced in his mind. Xia Ming could sense that they were exceptionally active, and just as he was about to take the opportunity to practice properly, he suddenly discovered that at some unknown moment, something unusual had appeared in his mind.

It was a golden book.

"This is..."

Upon examining it more closely, Xia Ming was even more shocked.

"This is the [Book of Eternity] from the game!"

The thick golden tome was engraved with all manner of magical patterns, along with a hexagram. Its golden radiance was as dazzling as the sun, containing immense magical power.

There was no mistake. This was definitely the [Book of Eternity], the ultimate magical item from the game Eternity, an existence of mythical rank!

The [Book of Eternity] had actually crossed over with him as well?