Schools of Magic and Scents

Back when he had devoured countless books in the library, Orendo had learned that magic had many different schools.

These schools were not as simple and crude as in the "original plot," with only three types: fire, frost, and arcane. In the real Azeroth, magic was classified in meticulous detail.

After his mentor's careful explanation of the distinctions among Azeroth's spellcasters, Orendo finally gained a clear understanding.

Unlike those wild mages who were born able to cast spells or had picked up magic in all sorts of haphazard ways,

mage communities such as Quel'Thalas and Dalaran, which possessed traditions, research, and continuity spanning thousands upon thousands of years, were more scientific in their systematic and standardized academic approach.

In the theories of Dalaran and Quel'Thalas, magic was divided into eight major schools.

Within these eight major schools were numerous minor schools, and the entanglement and fusion of different schools formed even more branches of magic.

Moreover, beyond the eight major schools, there were actually one or two schools that could not easily be assigned to any particular category. Though not listed among the eight major schools, they held their own standing.

In the world of academic mages, these conventionally recognized eight major schools were Abjuration, Conjuration, Divination, Enhancement, Illusion, Necromancy, Transmutation, and Evocation.

"Remember this." After introducing the eight major schools, Solarian gave Orendo this warning.

"Among these eight schools, one is considered taboo. That is Necromancy. Under no circumstances must you let anyone know you are studying it."

He was not allowed to let anyone know he was studying Necromancy? So that meant he could study it as long as nobody knew?

That was how Orendo understood it.

Solarian then introduced some of the distinctions between the eight major schools.

Take Abjuration, for example.

The school of Abjuration was devoted to studying all manner of protective magic, and it was one of the important required subjects for young mages.

The most common Abjuration spell was Mana Shield. It converted a small amount of mana into a magical barrier that protected the caster from harm.

Other spells, such as large-scale barriers, spell armor, elemental armor, and so on, all belonged to Abjuration.

While introducing Abjuration, Solarian made a point of emphasizing that the high elf prince Kael'thas Sunstrider was one of the renowned practitioners of Abjuration magic.

As one of the foremost mages, Kael'thas had displayed outstanding ability in every field of magical study. Yet his comprehension of Abjuration magic was even more exceptional, nearly equal to the prince's talent for Evocation fire magic.

Within the school of Abjuration, Prince Kael'thas had created a unique altered Mana Shield. To this day, no one in Dalaran had surpassed that achievement.

It was also through this creation that the elven prince had indisputably become a member of Dalaran's Council of Six.

Then there was Illusion.

Illusion magic was the art of obscuring the truth. The mist of illusion could make the caster's image and voice difficult to perceive, as though they had vanished from the world; or it could distort the appearance of an area into something utterly different.

Illusion magic was usually used for disguise or manipulating others, and Divination was Illusion's mortal enemy.

Contrary to common belief, Illusion magic was not some simple, cheap parlor trick. Among this school's spells, the most famous was Invisibility.

It was one of the indispensable life-preserving skills of a battle mage. Only battle mages regularly found themselves in dangerous situations, so they had to master swift and effective methods of strategic retreat.

Illusion magic could also confuse enemies, causing them to misjudge the caster's position or even turn on and kill one another. This was no easy feat, but masters proficient in Illusion magic could successfully sow discord among their enemies—and turn enemies into allies at the same time.

The spell Solarian had used on Orendo in the library was an Astromancer spell combining Enhancement and Illusion.

The beautiful mentor also took the opportunity to introduce her own school to Orendo.

Astromancers were a branch that lay between Conjuration and Evocation. Combined with certain mysterious Divination and Illusion spells, they formed this unique system of magic.

As for the enchanting and spatial teleportation spells that interested Orendo the most, they belonged to Enhancement and Transmutation respectively.

Enhancement was the process of using magical energy to strengthen an object or the caster. Its effects could be temporary or permanent—thus, some people also called Enhancement the school of Enchantment.

As for Transmutation, the school to which teleportation spells belonged, its magic allowed mages to manipulate time and space. It was among the most commonly used and practical magic of all schools.

The signature spell of Transmutation was Polymorph. It allowed a mage to turn an object or person into something else, such as a sheep.

Another signature spell of Transmutation was Teleportation. The most basic teleportation spell was Blink, which was also widely recognized as one of the most practical spells.

Spells that manipulated time likewise fell within the domain of Transmutation.

At the same time, the beautiful mentor explained that although the eight major schools were clearly divided, they could actually be combined with one another.

Among examples of such combinations, the most famous was Slow Fall. Slow Fall contained the principles of both Enhancement and Transmutation.

Solarian's first lesson for Orendo covered much and lasted a long time.

"All right," she said at last.

"That is the general overview."

"Now, you may tell me which school you like. If you are still unsure, there is no need to rush into answering."

"Perhaps once you travel a little farther down the path of seeking truth, you will know which road you should take."

Orendo nodded.

His beautiful mentor's first lesson had finally given him a systematic understanding of magic.

He pondered inwardly, then could not resist asking the Eye of Truth for its opinion.

"Eye of Truth, which schools do you think I should choose? Personally, I like Enhancement, Transmutation, and Evocation."

[Based on analysis of the host's energy affinity, it is inferred that the host is suited to the following schools: Abjuration, Conjuration, Divination, Enhancement, Illusion, Necromancy, Transmutation, Evocation.]

"Huh? That many? Wait, doesn't that seem to be every school?!"

[This analysis is based on the host's energy affinity and possesses strong reference value.]

Study them all?

An omnipotent school?

Orendo could not help frowning.

Solarian saw it and comforted him. "There is no need to choose in a hurry. I did not choose my current path as a mage until many years after becoming a formal mage. I am telling you this so early only because I want you to prepare in advance and avoid many detours."

Orendo nodded.

"Thank you, Mentor."

Solarian smiled soundlessly.

This was the second time she had smiled before Orendo, and it made him think that his mentor looked very beautiful when she smiled.

In Solarian's eyes, the young Orendo, who only reached her shoulder in height, stirred a hint of maternal affection in her. At the same time, the arcane scent emanating from him pleased the Astromancer—yes, an arcane scent.

Unlike humans or half-elf hybrids,

high elves who had grown up in Quel'Thalas, breathing in Sunwell particles since childhood, possessed arcane senses even if they were not mages.

These arcane senses allowed high elves to distinguish the different arcane scents of every magic-wielding creature.

Therefore, when mages wanted to deceive high elves with Illusion magic, they also had to account for disguising their arcane scent.

His scent is so pleasant... What a pity half his blood is human, and he is Lianda's son. The Astromancer thought to herself.

Suddenly,

Solarian's pupils dilated, and her small, delicate, beautiful nose twitched rapidly several times, as though she were carefully distinguishing a scent.

In fact, that was exactly what she was doing.

"What is going on? His scent changed!"

Then Orendo said to his mentor,

"After careful consideration, Mentor, according to the ways of Quel'Thalas, I have chosen a school that belongs solely to me—my future path as a mage!"

Solarian was trying hard to draw breath through her nose, wanting to smell more of that exceptionally pleasant arcane scent that made her body feel slightly warm.

"How so..." She practically hummed the words through her nose.

Immersed in his own world, Orendo failed to notice his mentor's unusual behavior. He said slowly, "I believe my path as a mage should be—"

"Omniscient and omnipotent!"

His tone on those final four words was resolute and unwavering.

After he said that,

Orendo's scent became even more pleasant to Solarian's eyes—no, to her nose.