Young people shouldn't reach beyond their grasp

Wong was not surprised. Every year brought a few talented apprentices, though their talent naturally had its limits.

"Oh, he learned the Magic Light Line on his first day? That's fairly good!"

Wong kept his head lowered over his spellbook, seemingly unmoved.

"No, he learned the Magic Shield on his first day!"

Theodore shook his head. Even he was still stunned, overwhelmed with emotion.

"What?"

At Theodore's words, Wong abruptly snapped his book shut and looked at him.

"He learned the Magic Shield in a single day? Even Master Kaecilius, widely acknowledged as having the greatest magical talent, took half a month!"

"Even I took a month. This goes beyond simply being talented!"

Wong stared at Theodore in shock.

"That's why I came to see you. Should we have Master Kamar-Taj teach him? Perhaps that would help him develop his talent further?"

"If his talent really is that extraordinary, he certainly needs better instruction. Otherwise, we'd be wasting it!"

Wong readily agreed.

Practicing magic required no particular resources. It primarily depended on individual talent and hard work.

Having a skilled teacher was also extremely important.

Kamar-Taj hoped to see powerful members of the younger generation emerge, bolstering the sorcerers' fighting strength against outside invasions.

"Tell him to seek out Kamar-Taj. I'm sure Kamar-Taj would be delighted to help a genius!"

Wong nodded as he spoke.

Theodore acknowledged his instructions, then turned and left.

He had thought Wang Yang would still be resting, since it was early. To his surprise, Wang Yang was not in his room. When Theodore found him, he was practicing at the training grounds.

Belar was there too.

After a night's practice, Wang Yang had become more proficient at casting the Magic Shield. Although its power and casting speed were still nothing impressive, he was, after all, only a newcomer.

As for Belar, whom Theodore had originally considered exceptionally talented, she now paled in comparison to Wang Yang.

Belar was talented too. She could already trace Magic Light Lines at will. Learning that in a day put her well ahead of ordinary apprentices.

But compared with the Magic Shield Wang Yang traced out, it was hardly worth mentioning.

"Senior!"

"Senior!"

Seeing Theodore approach, Wang Yang and Belar both stopped what they were doing and greeted him respectfully.

"Good, very good!"

Theodore nodded, then looked at Belar. "Belar, you have excellent talent. You've already traced a Magic Light Line within a day. Given time, you'll certainly be able to form a Magic Shield!"

At Theodore's words, Belar raised her chin slightly.

Some of the frustration of being outdone by Wang Yang on the first day faded.

She had her own pride. Her parents were sorcerers of Kamar-Taj. How could she possibly be worse than ordinary apprentices? She couldn't be, nor should she be.

"But don't neglect physical training while practicing magic!"

Although they were sorcerers of Kamar-Taj, they also had to practice martial arts.

It not only strengthened their bodies but also made it easier to sense magic and progress faster in their magical training.

"Yes, senior!"

Belar replied politely.

Theodore nodded, then turned and walked over to Wang Yang. "Your talent exceeds our expectations, so we all agree that you should seek instruction from Master Kamar-Taj. If I teach you, I'll only slow down your progress!"

Master Kamar-Taj?

Although Kamar-Taj's talent was not particularly extraordinary, he was now nearly eighty and a veteran sorcerer. Naturally, he was far better at teaching the younger generation than some of the younger instructors.

His age also meant that he possessed a wealth of knowledge.

Normally, only advanced apprentices had the opportunity to seek instruction from Kamar-Taj.

Belar knew this too. Hearing Theodore tell Wang Yang to seek out Kamar-Taj filled her with envy.

"Go on!"

Theodore spoke courteously, a smile on his face.

"All right!"

Wang Yang nodded and headed toward the place Theodore had indicated.

"Master Kamar-Taj, Senior Theodore sent me to see you!"

Upon meeting Master Kamar-Taj, Wang Yang spoke with utmost respect.

"Oh!"

Master Kamar-Taj was somewhat surprised to see Wang Yang. Few apprentices received recommendations, and those recommended right at the beginning were rarer still.

After looking Wang Yang up and down, Kamar-Taj smiled. "It seems you have considerable talent. Very good!"

"Master Kamar-Taj, I'd like to learn some new spells!"

Wang Yang had expected to detect a Magic Talent Fragment, but none appeared. Still, he was not disappointed and simply stated his request.

Master Kamar-Taj was not surprised either. Every apprentice shared one flaw: reaching beyond their grasp, especially those with a little talent.

"Do you know what matters most when learning magic?"

Kamar-Taj asked slowly.

"Knowledge and talent!"

Wang Yang thought for a moment before answering.

"Of course, knowledge and talent both play a part!"

Kamar-Taj nodded. "But in my view, the most important thing is your foundation. Only with a solid foundation can you learn magic properly. Never reach beyond your grasp when studying magic. Do you understand?"

Kamar-Taj spoke kindly.

"I understand!"

Wang Yang nodded. The world of magic was vast, with countless varieties of spells.

Even the Sorcerer Supreme would not dare claim to have mastered every spell.

Without a solid foundation, the magic he learned might become a crushing burden.

After all, Kamar-Taj had been a sorcerer for many years. Every word of his advice was worth its weight in gold.

"Good, as long as you understand!"

Kamar-Taj nodded, reasonably satisfied with Wang Yang's response.

The young man before him was perceptive. He might reach a little beyond his grasp, but he was young, after all.

"But Master Kamar-Taj, could you teach me some new spells?"

Forming a Magic Shield might be the only thing he could do. Casting anything else would not be easy for him.

At Wang Yang's words, the smile froze on Kamar-Taj's face.

He had only just decided that Wang Yang was obedient, and already the young man was ignoring his advice.

Even with Kamar-Taj's good temper, he felt a flicker of anger.

"Do you know that, as you Easterners say, a towering building rises from level ground? Its foundation is of paramount importance."

"Do you understand that we have you learn magical lines so you can trace out more powerful spells?"

As he spoke, Kamar-Taj raised his hand, forming a Magic Shield.

"Do you know that forming a Magic Shield requires countless magical lines? Right now, you should focus on practicing the basics. As for other spells, you must take things one step at a time!"

Kamar-Taj explained patiently.

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