Morton

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Early Life and Injury

Morton came from a poor family and was exceptionally talented at magic. After a serious accidental injury, his original magic tower judged him incapable of further advancement and dismissed him. His spiritual trauma subsequently worsened, and without money for treatment, he was left waiting to die 28.

Archmage Har saved him and became his teacher. Morton devoted himself to repaying that debt, saving money to build Har a proper magic tower while teaching basic spells at the preparatory institution. This ambition helped persuade him to accept Deputy Director Vincent’s arrangement for Chen Mo’s admission despite his dislike of well-connected newcomers 28.

Teaching Chen Mo

Chen Mo entered Glimmer Group Three under the identity of Roy. Believing him to be an ignorant, wealthy beneficiary of connections, Morton openly singled him out during a lecture on rules and fairness. Nevertheless, he arranged a group assessment to measure Chen Mo’s abilities and personally taught him the Blue Leaf Meditation Method, its accompanying materials, and the Glimmer Spell. He also spitefully doubled the price of extra meditation materials 28.

Morton’s attitude changed after witnessing Chen Mo’s relentless study routine and discovering how little foundational instruction he had received at Black Raven Castle. He refunded the overcharge, offered materials at the apprentice price, and began remedial lessons. Chen Mo’s willingness to pay for the additional teaching challenged Morton’s assumptions about wealthy students 29.

His private instruction grew increasingly intensive. He used Chen Mo’s precise spell models and orderly notes as examples for the class, supplied homemade recovery potions, and adjusted a group lesson to address Chen Mo’s questions about Psionic Diversion. When Chen Mo demonstrated divisions beyond his own expertise, Morton admitted that he could teach him no more in that area and recommended concentrating on mental power and mana 29 30 31.

Preparing for Psionic Enlightenment

Once Chen Mo reached the preparatory apprentice threshold for enlightenment, Morton tested his mental power seven times a day. He also enlisted outstanding students to explain their recent breakthrough experiences, rather than relying solely on his own decades-old recollections 33.

For the ritual itself, Morton secured an element-rich cultivation room belonging to the Advanced Morning Light Group, two stabilizing potions, a mental amplification potion, and high-grade mind-clearing incense. Chen Mo insisted on paying for the supplies and successfully completed enlightenment 34.

Parting with Chen Mo

After seeing the calling card from Cloudmist Territory, Morton urged Chen Mo to leave. He explained that taking Roy’s place had violated Federation law and could become leverage for future enemies. Although he had considered recommending Chen Mo as Har’s disciple, he believed the young man deserved a clean identity and opportunities beyond what their institution could provide 35.

Morton prepared his personal spell notes, a copied set of a necromancer instructor’s notes, and more than a hundred portions of cultivation materials for the journey. He planned to report only that the student Roy had stopped attending. Before leaving, Chen Mo revealed his real name and gave Morton a bag of gold intended to bring Har’s long-desired tower within reach 35.

Appearance

Morton is a medium-built man of around forty, with a thin face and a slightly hunched posture 28.

• Hair: Dark brown streaked with gray, meticulously combed back 28.
• Eyes: Gray-blue; his initial hostility toward Chen Mo is plainly visible in his gaze 28.
• Forehead: Broad and deeply lined 28.
• Clothing: A heavily washed mage robe with an almost unrecognizable original color, a frayed hem, and patches at the cuffs and collar 28.

Personality

Morton is stern, rigid, and prone to berating students over careless work. His resentment of privilege initially makes him unfair toward Chen Mo, even while he insists on equal treatment in the classroom. Yet he remains conscientious enough to teach thoroughly despite his personal dislike, and he corrects his behavior when he learns the truth about Chen Mo’s education 28 29.

He values diligence, sound fundamentals, and informed professional choices. He rejects the idea that one magical class is inherently superior to another and condemns teachers who force students into specializations before they understand their own talents 29 30.

His gratitude to Har governs much of his life: he has neither wife nor children and spends his remaining resources trying to repay his teacher. His affection for Chen Mo eventually outweighs both attachment and financial benefit, leading him to send away a student he is proud of rather than let an illegal identity limit that student’s future 28 35.

Abilities & Skills

Magical Theory and Instruction

A former spellcasting prodigy with years of teaching experience, Morton explains magical fundamentals with unusual clarity 29.

• Teaches the Blue Leaf Meditation Method for developing mental strength and the Glimmer Spell for training mana 28.
• Explains spellcasting through mental power, mana, spell models, magical materials, and external psionic energy 29.
• Emphasizes foundation-building before specialization so students can identify paths suited to their talents 29.
• Trains apprentices in the requirements, risks, and practical preparations for psionic enlightenment 33 34.

Precision Spell Modeling

Morton’s exceptionally solid fundamentals earn him the nickname “human spell-engraving plate” 31.

• Constructs a Summoning Altar model with geometric precision 29.
• Can detect minute errors in a diversion model that appears correct to the naked eye 31.
• Uses a gentle breeze to close Chen Mo’s dormitory door 35.

Psionic Diversion

Morton teaches the technique’s model and operating principles, stressing that its low initial energy requirements conceal demanding construction and control requirements 30.

• Proficient in two-way and four-way diversion 31.
• Warns against diverting offensive spells before mastering the model independently 30.
• Cannot fully follow Chen Mo’s three-way method and openly acknowledges the limits of his expertise 31.

Potion Formulation and Material Safety

Morton makes potions that relieve mental fatigue after meditation 30.

• Kato’s testing finds effective recovery and no obvious toxic side effects, though the taste is unpleasant 31.
• Teaches careful identification and inspection of casting materials: tampering can cause spell failure or irreparable mental damage 30.
• Maintains an alchemy room kept dark because many medicines cannot tolerate direct sunlight 35.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Patched mage robe — His visibly worn everyday clothing 28.
• Homemade recovery potions — Formulated to ease the strain of prolonged meditation 30 31.
• Personal spell notes — Records of his accumulated insights, given to Chen Mo at their farewell 35.
• Copied necromancer notes — Borrowed from a Dawn Light group instructor and transcribed for Chen Mo 35.

Relationships

• Archmage Har — Teacher and lifesaving benefactor. Morton saves obsessively to build him a proper magic tower 28 35.
• Chen Mo / Roy — Student whose diligence turns Morton’s hostility into pride and protective concern. Morton ultimately helps him leave the Federation’s compromised admission arrangement 28 29 35.
• Kato — Describes Morton as a good, serious instructor despite his difficult temperament; later tests Morton’s recovery potion for Chen Mo 28 31.
• Deputy Director Vincent — Arranges the admission Morton reluctantly accepts, in part because of his need to fund Har’s tower 28.

Notable Quotes

“Your background doesn't matter, only your strength!” 28

“There's no absolute hierarchy among the different classes, only differences in strength and specialization.” 30

“I really can't bear to see you go, but Roy, you must leave!” 35