Chapter 112: A Calm Life (Part 2)

The interior of this tower was bright and welcoming, a stark contrast to Mage Leo's tower, which emanated an ominous aura. This difference likely stemmed from the rune arrays used during the towers' construction.

At the front of the spacious, well-lit hall was a long wooden desk. Behind it sat a slender woman in her thirties, dressed in a simple white robe. This was presumably Mage Nasha, the tower's owner.

While not particularly beautiful, Mage Nasha had a friendly presence. Her golden hair was simply tied back, and her white robe was cinched at the waist with a light blue belt. This understated appearance made her seem warm and approachable.

"Today, I'll be focusing on the wind-type Level-0 spell, Swift Wind, and its model construction."

With a gentle smile and a soft, calm voice, Mage Nasha set the tone. Her manner was soothing, and the crowd, which had been buzzing moments before, quickly quieted down.

Standing among the crowd, Merlin nodded in approval. It was no wonder Mage Nasha drew such an audience. Her appeal wasn't just because her lessons were free; her demeanor was inviting and comforting, a rare quality in the Dark Spirit Domain.

Unlike Mage Leo, who was both terrifying in appearance and eccentric in temperament—so much so that even his own students avoided him—Mage Nasha's warmth made her approachable.

As Mage Nasha began her lecture on the spell Swift Wind, Merlin listened intently. Although his "Matrix" could analyze spell models for him, understanding the principles behind spell construction was invaluable.

Moreover, Swift Wind was the next spell Merlin planned to construct.

"Matrix, prepare to record."

Merlin discreetly activated the Matrix, intending to capture all of Mage Nasha's insights, hoping they would aid him in his own model construction.

Mage Nasha's teaching style was engaging, drawing her listeners in with clear explanations. Even Merlin found himself completely absorbed, forgetting everything else.

Constructing a spell model was intricate work, requiring a deep understanding of the model's principles. Each model had unique nuances that spellcasters had to master through hands-on practice.

No wonder Lorinka had said model construction was the hardest part. Coming from a family of spellcasters, she had grown up immersed in such knowledge. Yet, despite her privileged background, she still struggled with model construction, especially for First-Level spells.

If even someone like Lorinka faced such challenges, it was understandable that wandering mages like Old Man Aita and the Black-Robed Elder had it even harder.

Old Man Aita had managed to construct a few basic spell models after years of study, though Merlin now saw that his models were crude. Even so, this was an impressive feat for a wandering mage.

The Black-Robed Elder, however, had never constructed a spell model independently, simply simulating army models in his mind. Small wonder he had encountered problems.

"Alright, that concludes today's lesson."

Three hours later, Mage Nasha's lecture came to an end. The spellcasters gave her a respectful bow before leaving the tower.

Back in Mage Leo's tower, Merlin used the Matrix to review the lecture recording, going over it several times before shaking his head in resignation.

Constructing a spell model alone, without the Matrix's help, was overwhelmingly difficult. Merlin abandoned any thoughts of building models unaided.

In the days that followed, Merlin attended a rune course, as runes were everywhere in the Dark Spirit Domain and held various unique powers. Understanding them could greatly benefit his abilities.

However, after just one class, Merlin retreated from this pursuit. Rune magic was vast and complex, demanding high levels of mental strength and comprehension skills.

Merlin wasn't a natural genius. Without the Matrix's assistance, he likely wouldn't even be a spellcaster. Realizing that rune mastery was beyond his current abilities, Merlin returned to focusing solely on his meditation training.

Spellcasters typically had longer lifespans than ordinary people, but Merlin had only three years to reach the First-Level. He needed to build multiple spell models, and dividing his focus elsewhere could jeopardize his progress. Even with the Matrix's help, becoming a First-Level Spellcaster in three years was no small feat.

After all, Merlin's ambitions extended beyond becoming a mere three-discipline spellcaster. His goal was to master four, five, even six or seven disciplines, which would demand far more mental power.

※※※

Six months later, Merlin finally emerged from the tower and ran into Lorinka.

With the warmer weather, the female spellcasters dressed more lightly. Lorinka wore tight shorts that accentuated her fair, slender legs, along with a translucent silk top that revealed a hint of her figure beneath.

"Finally, Mage Merlin! You've come out of the tower," Lorinka remarked with a smile, clearly noticing his month-long retreat.

"I've been focused on meditation, so I haven't been out much," Merlin replied. "But I think it's time to start constructing my first First-Level spell."

Lorinka frowned slightly. "I assume you mean to build on your existing three models? You know, building more models requires vast amounts of mental power and time, which will slow your progress toward First-Level spells."

Merlin remained silent, acknowledging her concern.

Lorinka continued, "Constructing spell models is difficult, especially at the First-Level. Even the three models you built outside the Dark Spirit Domain might be unstable. I'd suggest concentrating on advancing those existing models rather than adding more."

Merlin knew Lorinka meant well, but he had the Matrix to stabilize his models, so he wasn't worried about limitations.

Thanking her, Merlin replied, "I appreciate your advice, Mage Lorinka. I'll keep it in mind."

With a brief farewell, Lorinka departed, leaving Merlin to proceed alone.

Merlin walked to the Tower of Myriad Forms.