I Am a Spellcaster (Part 2)

"Three simple rune structures have been discovered so far: the Mana Rune, the Acid Rune, and the Projectile Rune. The Mana Rune is the most fundamental and decisive rune. Only it can communicate with magic and bring forth mana, so this rune is provisionally defined as a foundational rune. In a mana state, the Acid Rune can convert sulfur into corrosive acid, while the Projectile Rune can launch objects weighing no more than five kilograms. These two runes are utilitarian in nature and are provisionally defined as tool runes."

"Deduction One: these three runes may be relatively elementary runes, since they originated from low-level demonic beasts. Higher-level demonic beasts may possess even more powerful runes."

"Deduction Two: divine descendants, and even gods themselves, may possess runes or structures similar to runes in order to invoke extraordinary power."

"Deduction Three: there should be many kinds of runes. In reality, extraordinary beings such as demonic beasts, heroes, demons, and devils possess vastly differing and unfathomable powers. Only a multitude of runes could support such a phenomenon."

Boom! Lightning flashed and thunder roared beyond the manor. The world was like a lady whose skirt had been lifted by a naughty child, somewhat embarrassed and annoyed.

"Foundational runes can function on their own, while tool runes must be combined with foundational runes before they can function, thereby achieving a magical effect and producing extraordinary phenomena. Whether singular or combined, any rune configuration capable of functioning is hereby named a Spell Model. The magical effect achieved is named a spell."

"Deduction: a Spell Model must consist of at least one foundational rune, because tool runes cannot communicate with mana."

"Based on the three runes currently available, four Spell Models can be constructed: the Mana Spell Model, the Acid Conversion Spell Model, the Projectile Spell Model, and the Acid Splash Spell Model."

"The Mana Spell Model is the most fundamental and the most important. According to experiments, this model can not only be incorporated into other models to provide mana and allow them to function, but can also be used independently. There are two ways to use it alone: on oneself or on others. Using it on oneself can effectively enhance mental power; this method is hereby named Mana Meditation. Using it on other things can briefly grant them mana, allowing them to carry magic."

Whoosh! Torrential rain poured down from the sky, and the wind outside blew out the oil lamp at once. It was as though demons were whispering: Give up. If you keep writing, your soul will be harvested and tortured forever in the abyss.

Ace remained unmoved. He slammed the window shut, lit the oil lamp again, and continued writing.

"Deduction: if the Mana Spell Model is used to guide mana and 'contaminate' ordinary objects over a long period, it may permanently alter their properties, allowing them to carry magic for a prolonged time. This is because the throats, fresh blood, and pelts of Corrosive Jackals can be used to draw runes that do not fade for a long time, and because heroes' personal belongings can suddenly mutate into magical items. Mana may possess a 'contaminating' force similar to radiation."

"The other Spell Models are functional. The Acid Conversion Spell Model and the Acid Splash Spell Model require sulfur, while the Projectile Spell Model requires any throwable item. Sulfur and throwable items are hereby classified as casting materials. The spells cast by these three Spell Models are called spells with casting materials."

"Conclusion: spells without casting materials likewise exist; the Mana Spell Model is a present example. Deduction: functional Spell Models should also possess forms that require no casting materials, because heroes can condense an Ice Giant Sword as long as forty meters without materials."

Countless black shadows seemed to leap beyond the window. Devils tempted him in low voices. Wealth, power, extraordinary strength—they were all beckoning to him. Stop. You can go on. Ace ignored the hallucinations and continued to write.

"Magic can be cast with the aid of items 'contaminated' by mana, greatly reducing the consumption of mental power. Some magical items maintain a certain magical effect constantly. Objects permanently 'contaminated' are hereby named magical items, while temporarily 'contaminated' objects are named time-limited magical items."

"For magical items that assist in spellcasting, I will make them into cards and call them magic cards. An item that stores various magic cards will be called a Spellbook. An ideal Spellbook should be able to draw magic cards automatically and assist in battle. That cannot yet be achieved; cards can only be drawn manually."

"Runes that express an independent meaning will be recorded in another book. Each page will record one rune, along with its classification and function. It will be called a Rune Tome. The Spellbook and the Rune Tome will be the most important auxiliary magical items for researching and using magic."

"Finally, only today did I come to believe that I had taken the correct path and truly stepped through the gate of the extraordinary. I am one who studies magic, mana, runes, Spell Models, and spells, with the goal of exploring the mysteries of this extraordinary world."

"People such as myself are formally named casters, though they may also commonly be called mages—scholars who study magic—or wizards, in tribute to humanity's pioneers. Considering that my current strength merely equals that of low-level demonic beasts and nobles who have awakened their bloodline power, I may be called a Magic Apprentice or a wizard apprentice."

Outside the window, the rain had stopped. Heaven and Earth, washed clean by the downpour, felt fresh with air, and all things seemed to revive. Ace opened the window. The sun had just risen, and sunlight streamed through the window onto him.

The auditory and visual hallucinations had vanished without a trace. Ace felt as though some restraint on his mind had been lifted. His mental power was exceptionally active, and the mana pulsing through nature became clearly visible. At the call of his perception, vast quantities of mana surged into his body, greatly enhancing his mental power and strengthening his physique.

Ace walked outside and felt nature within the manor grounds. Even without activating the Mana Rune, his active mental power could sense the mana pulsing in nature. He used his mental power to trace the Mana Spell Model in the air, activated it with his mind, and applied it to himself. About half an hour later, Ace withdrew from that state.

According to repeated experiments, once he meditated for half an hour each day, the growth of his mental power would gradually stagnate. Even further meditation with the Mana Spell Model could not increase it; he had to wait until the next day.

Of course, whenever his mental power was close to exhaustion, activating the Mana Spell Model could also accelerate its recovery, which likewise took about half an hour.

A few days later, Ace finished making the Spellbook and Rune Tome he had designed. The main materials for both came from Corrosive Jackals. Their rune-bearing throats, as well as the nearby fresh blood, bones, and pelts, were all excellent materials.

The entire Spellbook was roughly palm-sized, its spine bound with ring fasteners. Its cover was wrapped in ordinary calfskin paper, upon which a Hexagram Pattern had been drawn. The hexagram had no magical effect whatsoever. In Ace's previous life, it had represented mystery and magic, so he had used it on the Spellbook.

Small mechanisms made from iron sheets had been installed within the book, allowing cards to be inserted and removed freely. The card representing Acid Splash was placed at the very top. As his strongest current means of attack, it had to be available at any moment. Projectile and Acid Conversion were in the middle, while the rune representing mana was at the bottom, where it could assist with meditation and enchanting objects.

The Rune Tome was about the size of an ordinary book. Written on it was a new word Ace had coined—rune. There were many pages inside, but only the first three bore runes, each carefully labeled with the rune's name, properties, and function. The rest were blank for the time being.

Ace encrypted his magic diary using the writing system from his previous life. It recorded Ace's magical experiment records and magical papers. The magic diary was a summary of his experiments as well as indispensable important data.

Ace believed these three books were essential tools for a wizard and could be called the three treasures of a wizard. The Spellbook represented application, the Rune Tome represented theory, and the magic diary represented research. A wizard's process of exploring extraordinary mysteries was a spiraling ascent of constant research, discovering theories, applying theories, and feeding the results back into research.

"Exploring the mysteries of the extraordinary certainly cannot be done by one person alone. One person's strength is limited, while demonic beasts are limitless, and runes are limitless as well. With a limited individual, it is difficult to conquer limitless mysteries."

"When it comes to scientific research, what mentor doesn't have a whole group of students working under them? Once I possess strength comparable to a hero—this level will provisionally be defined as a formal wizard—I will establish my own Wizard Organization, train students, and use collective wisdom to lift up my path toward the extraordinary."

Ace murmured.

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