Magitech Studies, a Deeper Understanding of Spell Fundamentals

Moreover, the entire process required long periods of exploration into how mental energy was infused throughout it.

The weight and intensity... the timing... the strength of the mental energy... the trajectory by which mental energy entered... and so on—these all had to be explored.

Thus, casting a spell might seem simple, but in truth, it was the product of a wizard's years upon years of research.

Leo thought of another spell he had now mastered: Basic Body Fortification.

This spell followed the same principle.

By combining mental energy with one's own flesh, using one's body as material to infuse with mental energy, it triggered a brief reaction that strengthened the body.

And at this moment, Leo was even more impressed by Nova's teaching ability.

As Leo continued reading, he found that the book had indeed answered his question about the differences between the three fundamental methods used in spells and Potionology.

The differences in steps such as harmonizing, sorting, and refining spells and Potionology depended on the fact that every spell was like a weapon concealed on one's person.

Wizards stored certain substances on their bodies, took them out when needed, and used them to cast spells.

It was similar to the magitech tools of Magitech Studies. They existed as independent entities, rather than being abilities spontaneously cast from one's own body.

Wizards called these substances spell mediums.

However, there was still one thing Leo could not understand.

A wizard's abilities all relied on reacting with a certain type of substance, so Arcane Hand must surely have the same mechanism.

Yet when Leo cast Arcane Hand, he had never noticed it reacting with any kind of substance.

Leo shook his head and did not continue dwelling on the matter.

"Arcane Hand also has excellent- and perfect-quality diagrams. Perhaps only when I master Arcane Hand diagrams of those two qualities will I find the answer I want."

As Leo immersed himself in Basic Magitech Studies, he did not know that Nova was observing him from nearby.

Seeing Leo so absorbed in the book, the corners of Nova's lips could not help but curve upward.

He had a fairly good impression of Leo, and it had nothing to do with Leo's achievements or talent.

Even if Leo truly possessed Level 5 mental power talent, ranked among the top ten Wizard Seedlings of this class, and could master Mental Radiation, none of that mattered to Nova.

What Nova valued was Leo's love of reading.

In that regard, the two of them were birds of a feather.

In Nova's eyes, people who loved reading were all good people.

On the deck, Aifel's tall figure emerged, with John beside him.

Aifel said, "John, for the next few days, you will be responsible for Wizard Danville's daily needs and meals."

Upon hearing this, John's eyes widened. "Captain Aifel, this is making things far too difficult for me. You should know that I used to be a noble. I'm simply not suited for this sort of work."

Aifel said, "Then you need to learn, slowly. John, I know you are unwilling, but you should also get used to the fact that we knights are naturally a rank below wizards."

John said indignantly, "I don't agree with that. Take Vice-Captain Kairila—when she faced Danville and the others, didn't she still uphold a knight's sense of self, completely refusing to put them in her eyes?"

"I want to be like Vice-Captain Kairila too, living proudly as a knight!"

If John's goal had once been to become someone as measured and capable as Aifel, then now, the person he wanted to become was Kairila.

What he wanted to be was an unconstrained knight like Kairila, not a servile lackey like Aifel, bowing and scraping before wizards and before Leo.

"Kairila, proud?" Hearing John's words, Aifel seemed to have heard some amusing joke. "Why don't you look over there?"

Aifel raised a hand and pointed toward one side of the deck.

John followed his gaze. Then he pressed his lips together, his eyes filled with disbelief and a trace of unwillingness.

On one side of the deck, Kairila, who had been harsh and irritable when speaking to Leo and Hughes, now wore a broad smile and behaved with utter humility before the three wizards, Nova and the others.

"Esteemed Wizards, here is a bottle of precious fine wine. It was brewed using winemaking methods from the famous Land of Wine, an ancient ruin. I wonder whether the three of you would be interested in tasting it."

While Kairila spoke, Nova and the other two were still engrossed in their animated discussion.

Their spit flew as they talked, their expressions passionate.

As for Kairila and her bottle of precious wine, they seemed to receive no attention whatsoever.

Even though she was being ignored like this, Kairila still stood at the side, wearing a humble and respectful smile.

She was utterly different from how she had acted toward Leo and Hughes before.

Looking at the visibly shaken John, Aifel said, "Kairila may indeed speak harshly and act unpleasantly toward Wizard Seedlings, but that does not mean she does not revere wizards. Nor does it mean she does not enjoy clinging to a wizard's power."

"Look at her now. Where is even a trace of that earlier arrogance and brutality?"

"She even took the initiative to handle the work of receiving Wizard Nova and the others."

"Her pride is only directed at Wizard Seedlings. Before true wizards, she is just as obsequious. Her greatest dream in life is to become the servant of a powerful wizard."

"John, the reason I asked you to take on the task of caring for Wizard Danville was not to deliberately assign you some job that would cost you your dignity."

"Rather, building good relationships with wizards is precisely in our knights' interests. Since you have the status of being Wizard Danville's fellow student, you should make good use of it."

"I have said all I need to say. If you truly do not wish to do it, I will arrange for someone else to replace you. If you refuse this job, there are plenty of knights willing to take it. They do not consider serving a wizard to be something shameful."

A struggle flashed through John's eyes.

Self-respect, the future, prospects, pride... all sorts of words surged through his heart.

At last, John's gaze became firm. He said, "Captain Aifel, I'm sorry, but I won't do it!"

"I am the son of a count and a noble of the kingdom."

"I have my pride."

"Even if currying favor with wizards could place my future within reach—"

"I still will not accept a position obtained by bowing and scraping before commoners and serving them."

"I am John!"

"A knight bearing noble glory!"

John spoke with tremendous force.

Yet in Aifel's eyes, he was merely a pitiful fool clinging to his noble status until the day he drowned in it.

Aifel said, "Fine. I won't try to persuade you again."

Aifel turned and left.

John watched Aifel depart, his gaze unwavering.

Within his mind, that mysterious voice grew ever stronger.

"You made the correct choice."

"The radiance of knighthood and the glory of nobility are circling within your heart."

"These things will lead you down a legendary road."

"A knight king who defeats wizards... don't you think such a magnificent chapter of a knightly epic suits someone like you perfectly?"

"Defeat the wizards and trample them beneath your feet!"

"Make those who look down on you, those who belittle you, those hateful wizards—all of them submit beneath your mighty power!"

"You... are king!"