Nova the Wizard: Learning Requires a Thick Skin

Kairila looked at Leo, her gaze like a beast choosing its prey.

Leo's eyes remained calm. He felt he had merely stated his demands reasonably.

Seeing that the atmosphere between them was off, Aifel hurriedly spoke up. "Kairila, let it be. When the time comes, let Wizard Danville decide for himself based on the situation."

Kairila's expression shifted several times before she finally snorted. "Fine, whatever. If the mission fails, Aifel, the responsibility will be on you. Wizard Seedling, don't even think about getting a single Magic Stone from us then."

Seeing Leo and Kairila fall out, a faint smile curled at the corner of John's lips. His sense of approval toward Kairila shot through the roof.

Aifel continued, "Next is the schedule."

"Stonefish have a strong sense of territory. They generally only swim and hunt within their own range."

"It will only take half a day's sailing to reach the Stonefish's territory. We should arrive there this afternoon. However, on the return trip, we'll need to make a detour to the Crimson Sea. It will take a day to get there from the Stonefish's territory."

"Counting the return journey, it will take nearly two days in total for us to return to the Tower of Dawn."

Leo frowned and asked, "Why do we need to make a detour?"

Aifel said, "Because we need to send Wizard Nova and the others to the Crimson Sea first."

Hearing that the reason was Nova and the others, Leo said nothing further.

Forget making a detour.

Even if Nova and the others said they had to wait ten days before returning, Leo could only accept it.

Seeing Leo accept it, Aifel said, "There is still quite some time before we enter the Stonefish's territory. Please rest and make your preparations first."

Leo then left the cabin and returned to the deck.

"Mr. Danville, please wait."

The youthful-looking Hughes hurried over to Leo and said, "I have an unreasonable request. Could you teach me how to use Mental Radiation?"

Hughes looked at Leo, his expression uneasy.

Leo said, "No."

Hughes did not give up. "I can offer five Magic Stones."

Leo pondered briefly, then said, "I can tell you the principles I've figured out, but I can't guarantee that you'll learn it."

"That works too."

Hughes readily agreed and immediately took out five Magic Stones to complete the transaction with Leo on the spot.

After accepting the Magic Stones, Leo briefly explained the principles to Hughes.

The principle was actually simple: it was an understanding of mental fluctuations.

But learning it was very difficult.

After hearing Leo's explanation, Hughes experimented for a while but still failed to grasp the principle.

Hughes cast Arcane Hand, and a shield with a metallic sheen appeared.

Hughes gripped the shield's handle and held it before himself.

He took a small piece of wood from his body and placed it on the shield.

The little piece of wood was completely unaffected.

Hughes frowned. "Mental Radiation really is difficult to master."

Seeing that Hughes had not learned it, Leo had no good solution either.

He had taught Hughes everything he could. Since Hughes had not learned it, there was nothing else Leo could do.

"Young Wizard Seedling, don't feel anxious. For most wizards, Mental Radiation is something they only learn after condensing a Spiritual Seed. You have not yet become a wizard, so there is nothing strange about you not knowing it now."

A voice sounded from nearby.

Leo and Hughes both looked over.

"Wizard Nova."

Seeing that it was Nova, Hughes hurriedly spoke respectfully.

As for Leo, this was not his first time meeting Nova. He lowered his head slightly, his tone calm and even. "Wizard Nova."

After giving Hughes a few pointers, Nova looked toward Leo.

Under Nova's scrutiny, Leo felt as though every secret in his body had been seen through.

"Danville, you have truly surprised me. I never expected you to understand Mental Radiation in such a short time."

Nova sighed. "The principles of Mental Radiation are not difficult, but that is for Wizard Seedlings with high mental aptitude. For someone like you with Level 3 mental aptitude, it should still be quite difficult."

"Under normal circumstances, it is only mastered after condensing a Spiritual Seed."

"However, considering the growth of your mental energy, it does not seem strange that you could learn it. Your mental energy growth has already far surpassed what someone with Level 3 mental aptitude should possess."

Hearing this, Leo felt somewhat nervous, afraid Nova might notice something amiss. He said, "Wizard Nova, I am actually surprised by this as well. My mentor, Wizard Sally, said that this is most likely a change brought about by a second awakening of my mental aptitude."

"A second awakening..." Nova pondered slightly. "That is indeed possible. But if so, my loss is rather great. I actually gave a genius with Level 4, perhaps even Level 5, mental aptitude to the Esmond Gathering for nothing."

Nova shook his head.

Seeing that Nova believed him, Leo finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Leo then asked, "Wizard Nova, are you also here to hunt sea monsters?"

"No. The three of us are going out to sea to find some herbs for research. We boarded this ship because it happened to be on the way."

Leo looked at Nova, an idea stirring in his heart. He asked, "Wizard Nova, I have a question I would like to ask you. I wonder if now is convenient?"

From their previous interactions, Leo felt that Nova probably had a side of him that enjoyed teaching others.

It was rare to encounter Nova now, and Nova had even taken the initiative to speak to him. Leo did not want to miss this chance to seek guidance.

Nova said, "You really do not know the meaning of being polite."

"Ha ha, Wizard Nova, my apologies. I was presumptuous." Leo gave an embarrassed laugh.

Nova, however, said, "Fine. Ask away."

Leo was immediately somewhat surprised. He had thought Nova would refuse, but Nova had actually agreed.

Still, Leo immediately seized the opportunity. "It is about Arcane Hand."

"Why is Arcane Hand considered the most basic spell?" After choosing his words carefully, Leo said, "Arcane Hand is merely the manipulation of mental energy. This is the same as the processes of blending, sorting, and smelting in Potionology."

"Yet blending, sorting, and smelting are not spells. They are merely forms of mental energy manipulation."

"I cannot distinguish between the two."

Nova looked at Leo in some surprise. "To be honest, I am surprised you would raise this question. Even wizards who have condensed Spiritual Seeds know that it works, but not why it works."

"They generally only grow curious about this after they enter higher realms of wizardry in the future."

"Although this question is simple to answer, I personally recommend that you study Magitech Studies. That subject may be able to answer the doubts in your heart."