Learning Fifth-level Magic (Part 2)

If he persevered with a series of Gravity Spell training exercises, his initial progress in physical training should have been quite good.

Having become very proficient in earth-element magic, it was time to move on to wind-element magic. Arnold had hardly ever missed any of his earth-element or wind-element classes, so he certainly knew wind-element magic; he simply lacked proficiency.

There were many wind-element spells: first-level magic—Wind Blade and Wind Shield; second-level magic—Wind Binding; third-level magic—Wind of Detection; and fourth-level magic—Wind Blade Chain, an advanced form of Wind Blade. Wind-element magic also had support spells such as Precision and Extreme.

The support spell Extreme increased a wind-element mage's speed, giving wind-element mages a considerable advantage. Another support spell, Precision, could be used alongside wind-element magic by archers, allowing arrows to change direction sharply while in flight.

Third-level magic—Wind of Detection—allowed wind-element mages to sense their surroundings. A Third-level Mage's Wind of Detection covered only a range of a dozen or so meters, whereas a Fifth-level Mage's could cover more than a hundred meters. The stronger one became, the wider the range of Wind of Detection.

When it came to offensive magic, one could not avoid the wind element's foundational spell, Wind Blade. Wind Blades formed pale green, blade-like currents of fierce wind in the air that could slice through matter. Moreover, Wind Blade had advanced versions from the first level all the way to the ninth. For example, the fourth-level spell Wind Blade Chain, the Seventh-level Magic Wind Blade Soaring Dance, and the Ninth-level Magic Vacuum Binding Art all belonged to the same branch.

Wind Wolves among magical beasts primarily used Wind Blades. Yet even the most ordinary Wind Wolf was a fourth-level magical beast, while elite ones could reach the fifth or sixth level. The Wind Blades released by Wind Wolves were not only fast, but numerous. Magical beasts also possessed greater reserves of magical power than humans, enabling them to unleash a vast number of Wind Blades.

Linley had spent two months training in the Warcraft Mountain Range. After returning, he told Arnold, Yale, George, and Renault about it, even showing them the savage, earthworm-like scars across his abdominal muscles. Linley had Delin's guidance and his pet Bei Bei at his side, not to mention that he himself was a Fourth-level Warrior and a Fifth-level Mage of both the earth and wind elements, yet he had still ended up in such a state. Although Linley spoke of it lightly, Arnold could imagine what had happened. Therefore, when it came time for his own training expedition, he had to prepare thoroughly and be extremely careful.

After mastering earth- and wind-element magic, Arnold's days became monotonous.

For earth- and wind-element classes, Arnold attended only a few sessions at the beginning of each month. He spent half his remaining time casting Gravity Spell on himself while doing exercises such as running, frog jumps, and push-ups. The other half was divided evenly: some of it went toward playing the recorder to comprehend nature and ease the fatigue brought on by intense training, while the rest went toward refining wind-element magical power.

It was August when Linley returned from his expedition. Arnold continued training his body and playing the recorder to increase his spiritual force, filling every day to the brim. After four months of arduous cultivation, Arnold's physical strength had reached the level of a first-level warrior and was nearing that of a Second-level Warrior.

On the Yulan Continent, even a middle-aged man who was usually lazy in his training could generally reach the level of a Second-level Warrior. How could Arnold have cultivated so quickly in only four months? It was mainly because of the Gravity Spell. Whenever he trained, Arnold continuously cast Gravity Spell on himself. At first, the ground's gravitational pull crushed him to his knees, but by the end, Arnold could punch, kick, and perform other movements with ease even under the spell's effects.

During Arnold's four months of hard cultivation, Linley had somehow gotten himself a girlfriend—Alice from Welling Magic Academy. Linley had completely fallen into the feeling of being in love, and Arnold could only sigh inwardly. Linley's not even sixteen yet, and he already has a girlfriend. But that was the prevailing atmosphere on the Yulan Continent; getting a girlfriend at a young age was nothing unusual. Still, influenced by the young people of Earth, Arnold had no particular feelings toward women for the time being.

After four months of arduous cultivation, Arnold's strength had developed across the board. His spiritual force had reached the advanced stage of a Fifth-level Mage, almost touching the threshold of a Sixth-level Mage. His wind-element magic had improved as well. After continuously refining his wind-element magical power, he had finally reached the level of a Fifth-level Mage.

Since his wind element had reached the fifth level, he naturally needed to master fifth-level wind-element magic. Fifth-level wind magic included Wind Roar, Levitation Spell, and more.

Fifth-level magic—Wind Roar—formed a translucent azure javelin from wind-element particles in front of the caster, which the caster could control to stab at different locations.

Fifth-level magic—Levitation Spell—allowed a fifth-level wind-element mage's body to float, but not to fly. Levitation only allowed one to move straight up and down. This spell placed the greatest emphasis on affinity with wind-element particles. The higher one's affinity, the more precisely one could control wind-element magical power and wind-element particles, and the faster one's Levitation Spell could become.

After casting Levitation Spell, Arnold spent nearly half a day testing it in the rear mountain. He even rose thirty or forty meters above the ground and played around for quite a while.

In the blink of an eye, it became January 1st, 9998 of the Yulan Calendar. The first day of January each year was known as the Jade Orchid Festival, the greatest festival on the entire Yulan Continent. On that day, the Radiant Church also held its grandest mass. Arnold, being a homebody, had no desire whatsoever to go and watch, but Linley and Alice went. When Linley returned, however, his expression did not look very good. Arnold guessed that Linley and Alice had argued. Quarrels between young men and women were rather common, so Arnold merely watched quietly.

Since Arnold was also about to head to the Warcraft Mountain Range for training, one evening in January, he specifically went to Dormitory 1987 to speak with Linley.

In the courtyard of Linley's dormitory, Arnold and Linley chatted.

"Arnold, you're pretty impressive. After nearly half a year of training, your physical strength is almost at the level of a Second-level Warrior," Linley said with a sigh.

"Arnold probably used Gravity Spell to train his body, and he must have worked extremely hard. Otherwise, his progress couldn't possibly have been this fast," Delin said beside Linley. Of course, only Linley could hear those words; Arnold naturally lacked the ability to hear Delin. Mm, I also think Gravity Spell is extremely helpful for training physical strength, Linley replied inwardly.

"How could I compare with you, Linley? You've probably already reached the level of a Fifth-level Warrior, haven't you?" Arnold said, shaking his head.

"Not yet! But I should be close," Linley replied. "Arnold, you came specifically to see me today. Is there something you need?"

"It's like this. I plan to head to the Warcraft Mountain Range for training at the beginning of next month, so I came to ask you for some advice and experience," Arnold stated his purpose directly.

"Mm, no problem." Linley had initially wanted to advise Arnold to wait until he reached the level of a Sixth-level Mage before going, but on second thought, Linley himself had gone when he was only a Fifth-level Mage. Although he had received plenty of experience and guidance from Grandpa Delin, giving him some confidence, Arnold did not know that. If Linley tried to persuade him, Arnold might instead become displeased.

Thus, Linley went on to tell Arnold most of the experience he had summarized, leaving Arnold immensely grateful.

In the blink of an eye, February 1st arrived. That morning, after saying farewell to Yale, George, Renault, and Linley, Arnold slung a sturdy leather pack over his back and set off alone on the road to the Warcraft Mountain Range.