My Magic Has No Upper Limit

Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Single-Layer and Multi-Layer

A blazing Fireball materialized in front of him, then shot out abruptly!

And because he had modified some redundant parts of the structure, Zelir’s Casting Speed was a bit faster than it had been in the Gray Wood Forest.

It was compressed from about five seconds to just over four, and the power hadn’t diminished as a result.

"BANG!"

The Fireball slammed into the Crystal Pillar, exploding in a shower of sparks.

"Hoh..." Marvin raised an eyebrow slightly.

’This kid is promising.’

The three spells Bev had just cast averaged about six seconds each, while Zelir had unleashed his Fireball Skill in just over four.

This difference of over a second shouldn’t be underestimated; a spellcaster might spend a whole year of practice to improve that much.

Clearly, Zelir’s level of Magic Manipulation was higher than Bev’s.

"Not bad. Continue," Marvin said, tilting his chin.

"Uh..."

Hearing this, Zelir scratched his head in embarrassment. "Sorry, Instructor Marvin, but this is the only Magic I know."

"This is the only one?" Marvin frowned.

"Yes."

’It can’t be helped. The original owner of this body came from a really poor family.’

’He had to work odd jobs for several years just to save up the money for that damaged Fireball Skill Scroll. As for other Magic, it was completely out of the question.’

"Your Fireball Skill is good. It completely meets the standard for a Magic Apprentice."

Instructor Marvin stroked his chin.

"However, according to the guild’s rating rules, even if your Magic Power and casting ability are up to standard, you still need to master three Level Two Single-layer Spell Structure Magic spells to officially become a Magic Apprentice."

Based on their Spell Structure, Magic is divided into two main categories.

Single-layer Spell Structure Magic and Multi-layered Spell Structure Magic.

A Single-layer Spell Structure can be seen as a plane—that is, two-dimensional.

All the circuits are inscribed on this two-dimensional plane, which is the most basic form of Magic configuration.

For a very long period of history, the Mages of the Candia Continent could only use Single-layer Spell Structure Magic.

However, in the long river of time, a few extraordinarily brilliant figures are always bound to appear.

Through continuous exploration and development of Spell Structures, the more powerful and versatile Multi-layered Spell Structure Magic was invented.

Compared to the two-dimensional plane of Single-layer Spell Structure Magic, Multi-layered Spell Structure Magic consists of a three-dimensional construct formed by many intersecting planes.

With more space available, its complexity increases exponentially, making it much harder to master.

Based on the complexity of their circuits, these two major categories of Magic are further divided into nine levels.

Spells like the Fireball Skill, Wind Blade Technique, Water Ball Skill, and Lighting Skill are all Level Two Single-layer Spell Structure Magic.

Bev showed a look of pity.

She had already seen during the assessment that Zelir’s Magic proficiency was definitely above her own.

’Knowing only one type of Magic must be due to his family’s financial situation.’

Want to learn new Magic?

It’s simple: just spend money to buy Magic Scrolls inscribed with Spell Structures.

A high-quality Level Two Single-layer Spell Structure Magic Scroll costs around Five Gold Coins, which is nearly a full year’s income for a commoner’s family.

The Fireball Skill Scroll the original owner bought from a Minstrel was so dilapidated that he was able to get it for the price of forty Silver Coins.

The Spirit Mark remaining on it was extremely faint, which was why the original owner spent a very long time deciphering the Spell Structure, making the process highly inefficient.

"I understand. I’ll work hard to master two other new types of Magic and then come back to be rated again," Zelir said.

Although he hadn’t passed, he wasn’t discouraged.

’In any case, I’ve already learned three new types of Magic from Bev. Once I finish analyzing them, it’s only a matter of time before I officially become a Magic Apprentice.’

"Wait a moment."

Marvin suddenly stopped Zelir. "I’d like to ask you a few questions... They’re rather personal, of course, so you can choose not to answer."

"What questions?"

"What does your family do? Are they merchants, or...?" Marvin asked.

"I come from a small village on the border of the Sel Kingdom. My parents were farmers, but they have passed away."

Zelir answered truthfully, "I’m an Adventurer now, making a living by taking on commissions."

"Is that so..."

Marvin looked down, seemingly pondering something. After a moment, he spoke.

"In that case, I can let you pass the Magic Apprentice assessment ahead of time. But you must promise me that within three months, you will come find me for a second Mage assessment. I expect you to have mastered three new types of Magic by then."

Hearing this, Zelir couldn’t help but be stunned.

"Ah...?" freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

’What does he mean?’

"What are you spacing out for? Hurry up and thank Instructor Marvin! He’s looking out for you."

Bev nudged Zelir with her elbow. "Once you become a Magic Apprentice, you can receive a guild subsidy. It’s A Gold Coin every month."

’There’s a perk like that?’

Zelir finally snapped out of it and quickly expressed his thanks.

"Thank you for your consideration, Instructor Marvin! I definitely won’t disappoint your expectations."

"The path of a Mage is long, arduous, and full of hardships. I don’t want to see your talent go to waste."

Marvin said encouragingly, "Remember our agreement. Come find me for another test within three months."

"Okay."

Zelir suddenly remembered the condition to unlock his second Talent Skill: become a Junior Mage.

’This is the perfect chance to get all the details at once.’

"Instructor Marvin, I’d also like to know, what are the requirements to pass the Junior Mage assessment?"

"You just became a Magic Apprentice and you’re already thinking about being a Junior Mage?"

Marvin chuckled.

"The little guy has lofty ambitions... You need to master at least ten types of Level Two Single-layer Spell Structure Magic, with a Casting Speed compressed to under three seconds."

"In addition to that, you must also master one type of Level Three Single-layer Spell Structure Magic, with a Casting Speed under five seconds. Those are the standards for a Junior Mage."

"I don’t need to elaborate on learning Magic—just go collect Magic Scrolls and comprehend them on your own. As for compressing your Casting Speed, that requires years and years of practice."

Marvin pushed up his glasses.

"What you need to know is that a Spell Structure isn’t set in stone. As long as your Magic Manipulation Level improves, you can naturally optimize the original Spell Structure and increase your Casting Speed."

"Like transforming a winding, twisting turn into a straight line?" Zelir asked, recalling the feeling from earlier.

"A very fitting analogy."

Marvin nodded.

"The original, raw Spell Structures are usually very complex. In your words, they’re a winding, twisting mishmash where you might even get lost."

"Only by improving your Magic Manipulation Level can you gradually modify it to be more efficient, eventually reaching the ultimate realm for a single spell—Instant Cast."

"I see..." Zelir nodded slightly.