Chapter 98 Training 7 (1/2)
Truen didn't know how long he was knocked out for in the space-time dimension but it couldn't be that long since time flowed very differently.
Merlin hovered over his unconscious apprentice and shook his head. He might have gone a little too far, pushing Truen to his limits when he was already in a bad shape. The Sage God only wished that he hadn't broken his student with the previous stunt.
When the wood elf came to, Merlin felt slightly apologetic for going too far. However, he couldn't lower his pride to apologise so he settled for giving Truen time to rest. Once the wood elf was well rested, Merlin started his lecture.
”How do you evaluate your performance earlier?”
Truen was silent. He was ashamed at how quick it ended. Merlin was probably disappointed in him and Truen had no words for it. The wood elf slowly got up and sat on his knees with his head hung low in repentance.
Merlin felt the wood elf's behaviour prodding at his conscious. He was a terrible teacher. No wonder none of his previous students turned out to be any good. Truen was a rare gem and he was wasted on Merlin. However, the wizard was determined to make up for his mistakes. He was going to share with Truen about the secrets of his research.
”Look up,” he commanded. ”That magic of mine is no ordinary spell. In fact, you did great in terms of raw power and control. Magic is about creativity. With greater understanding, you can come to create unique spells that only you can cast. Cyclone storm is one of the examples created by me. I won't be telling you what to create but for a month, you will experiment in this dream dimension. By the end of the month, I want you to show me your signature spells before we move from there. Any questions?”
Truen blinked. Create spells? He hasn't completed the library yet!
”Only elemental spells. The rest are slightly trickier so I'll have you wait for a moment. Surely you can manage?”
”Sorry, sir. I'm not sure what you mean. Spells can be created?”
Merlin blinked. Was it not covered in the books Truen read?
”Did you not read about the theory of fusion spells?”
The wood elf frowned. He was sure he read that book. However, nothing was mentioned about spell creation or how that was considered elemental magic. Truen thought that nature magic was a class of its own. Hence, the more powerful races with more magic affinities were considered superior mages.
”I did. However, it was merely a theory explanation about how the elements affected each other from an alchemist's point of view. Nothing could be ascertained because from third-tier fusion spells and up, not many could test his hypothesis to confirm that it was true. No living creature has magical affinity with all six elements. Also, the book suggested other elements that may exist but hasn't been discovered or recorded. It's a book with a lot of uncertainties and mostly, opinions by the author.”
Merlin stroked his beard. He must have remembered it wrong. The book was pulled out from the ruins of an old kingdom that had fallen to ruins after the age of magicians. It was one of the books Merlin used to progress in his research. Perhaps his knowledge far surpassed that book.
”I must have been mistaken. In any case, you can disregard your first concern. It is true that magical affinity for all elements does not appear in normal people. However, you're not normal. As a living wood spirit, you are capable of controlling any elemental magic - a product of Gaia herself. As for the second hypothesis about other elements than the six discovered, I cannot say for certain that they exist. However, my research points to me that the possibility is there. I wish that you will approach this lesson with an open mind. Do not limit your abilities. As a living wood spirit, mana regeneration is not a problem for you. You can draw mana from the planet itself without going through the normal process. The dream space replicates it perfectly. However, please bear in mind that the mana you can draw is limited to the terrain you are in.”
The wizard materialised a book in his hand and passed it to the wood elf who accepted it gracefully.
”This is a grimoire. It's not an original copy but it contains all the information you need to know about advanced fusion magic. What have you read about magic mediums?”
Truen thought for a while, recalling what he could.
”I've read a little from different archives. Many races who are not born gifted in magic usually use mediums to better channel their mana in the form of tools, words or even spell circles. This is to increase their maximum potential and allow them to use magic greater than their capability or save casting time during emergencies. However, none of the books I've read covered the reason for the mediums or how they were created. Someone tried to decipher them but it's still unclear to me how it was deciphered. There wasn't a distinct method of deciphering the methods used which leads me to think that the discoveries made were accidental.”
Merlin chuckled. ”Well, the library is very old. I guess it's high time I updated it. In any case, you're half right there. The author of that book was compiling things he heard without understanding. His conclusions were baseless and made no sense.”
Mentally, Truen felt drained. How many more surprises does Merlin have for him?
”Mediums are used by those with lesser magical affinity to boost their power. Think of it as a cripple with their crutch. It allows them to move faster and more freely. However, the crutch wasn't made by these cripples. It was lent by the stronger beings who had too much magic to spare. Many of them were demons, angels, dragons and some even gods. These powerful beings collected payment from the users of their medium in the form of a sacrifice as you might have seen in books. Angels demand worship and prayers hence the chanting. Demons required enslaved souls hence the grimoire and magic circles. Dragons required carnage hence the transformed physical abilities of their mage warriors. Gods wanted different things all the time so it's not set in stone. Nevertheless, mediums can be created. The greater the sacrifice, the greater the power.”
Truen looked at the fake grimoire. ”Are you saying that cyclone storm was powered by a medium?”
The wizard grinned. ”You pick up fast. That grimoire contains information about that spell. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to create something on your own. Of course, you'll first have to decide what kind of medium works best in your favour. Also, as a bonus tip, I did not make a contract with hell when I wrote that grimoire. I simply learnt from the ways of the devils and created my own.”
Truen blinked. Merlin must have made a huge sacrifice in order to do that. Even in the fake grimoire, the wood elf could sense the unusual aura coming from it. What did Merlin do to become such a monster? Then again, all Gods are monsters in their own league Merlin was simply one in the field of magic.
”I understand. I will work hard to develop something I can call my own.”
Satisfied, the wizard prepared to leave. However, his parting words made Truen feel pressured once more.
”I look forward to the day you can surpass me, apprentice.”
***
”Easy now,” Hua Tuo coaxed.