Chapter 13: Learning New Magic!

Eric sat in front of his computer, logged into the Magic User Guild's official website. Only official members were allowed to register.

"What? To become a new member of the Magic User Guild, in addition to a monthly subsidy of $15,000, I can even receive a free C-grade Magic spell?" Eric was stunned when he saw the new member benefits on the homepage.

In this era of advanced internet, conducting business with offline guilds was actually less convenient than doing it online. Orlando had specifically reminded him earlier to keep an eye on the official website.

On this site, he would find not only more member benefits but also many interesting features.

"Is this what extraordinary beings are like?" Eric thought, feeling excited. He knew how precious a C-grade Magic spell was, and getting one for free was a huge win!

The best part was that he didn't need to go to the Magic Guild's headquarters to collect it—he could simply pick it up at a Magic store.

To cater to its customers and make it easier for members, the Magic Guild had many branches in each city. There was even one directly across from Eric's house.

"Well, time to go get my free Magic spell," Eric said, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. He left his house and walked toward the Magic store across the street.

The Magic store didn't look much different from an ordinary store, except for the products it sold. As soon as Eric stepped inside, he was greeted by the sight of a dazzling array of items.

At a glance, there were everything from Magic User staves, protective armor, and Magic Supplements to various types of Magic books. It was a treasure trove!

As soon as Eric entered, a female staff member approached to greet him. "Hello, how can I assist you today?"

Holding his temporary membership card, Eric replied, "Hi, I'd like to claim my free Magic book. Could you please show me how to get it?"

Saying these words gave him a sense of privilege, and the staff member's attitude toward him was incredibly respectful. "Please follow me. I'll take you to the Magic book section."

Eric couldn't help but notice that almost every staff member here showed respect for Magic Users, even though he was just a low-level Magic User.

He thought to himself, If I become a more powerful Magic User, it must feel even better!

However, as he followed the staff member through the aisles filled with various Magic products, his attention was suddenly caught by something.

He unintentionally glanced at the price of a C-grade staff.

A staff was practically a necessity for any Magic User. Even though Eric, as a low-level Magic User, didn't own one yet, he knew that sooner or later, he would need one.

It was like a soldier's rifle: the better the staff, the greater its impact on a Magic User. But the C-grade staff that Eric had just glanced at was priced far beyond what he had expected.

Grade C Ice and Snow Staff: When used with Magic, it adds a freezing effect. Price: 50,000 dollars!

Eric couldn't help but compare it to the 15,000 dollars he had just celebrated receiving. He now felt like a country bumpkin who had never seen the world.

"Now I understand the importance of hunting missions," Eric thought. "I also get why extraordinary beings are so powerful. Just this one staff alone would be unaffordable to an ordinary person for their entire life. Even for me, I don't know how many missions I'd have to complete…"

"Sir, this is the C-grade Magic book section!" The staff member spoke as she led Eric into the area filled with Magic books.

Eric scanned through the Magic Study Guides, still in disbelief. His eyes widened slightly. "No way… Magic books are this expensive too?"

[Thunder Cut]: 100,000 dollars

[Thousand Wood Thorns]: 150,000 dollars

[Water Vortex]: 180,000 dollars

…

Eric was stunned. The price of each of these books was enough to make him shudder. It really hit him just how valuable a free C-grade Magic book was.

After browsing for a while, Eric finally chose one: Water Vortex.

This was a Water-based Element Magic, just like the magic he had been learning before. It would have better synergy with his previous skills. Additionally, the effects of this Magic book intrigued him.

"I'll take this C-grade Magic book," Eric said.

"Of course." The staff member immediately processed the transaction and handed him the book.

With the free Magic book in hand, Eric left the store immediately. "I can't stay here any longer… It feels like my wallet is screaming in pain!"

As Eric looked at the Magic book in his hands, he let out a deep breath and smiled. "At least for a high school student, I'm making rapid progress!"

"I've heard that as long as you can learn two Magics, you can get into many top universities. Like Alicia and Lilith, they're on that level. It's just that they set higher standards for themselves and aren't satisfied with just that…" Eric murmured to himself.

"Once you learn three Magics and become a true Low-level Magic User, top-tier extraordinary beings schools will open their doors to you. With that, your life's achievements and prospects will be completely different." Eric had already reached that standard.

He now understood why Alicia and Lilith worked so hard. The temptation of top schools was immense, and who could resist fighting for a chance to join them?

"With only a month left until the college entrance exams, and having already started learning my fourth Magic, I wonder how far I'll have come by the time the exams arrive? And how will those guys react?" Eric thought to himself, a smile creeping onto his face.

"Anyway, once I get home, I'll practice right away," Eric said as he tightly gripped the Magic scroll in his hand.

...

Late at night, in an open area.

Eric took out the Magic he had just bought from the Magic Guild—Water Vortex.

Water Vortex: Create a swirling vortex with a one-meter diameter to trap, drown, and shred enemies!

Eric glanced at the instructions on the Study Guide. Without hesitation, he began practicing, just like he had with the Water Sphere Technique earlier. Eric simply followed the description, step by step.

Even though he couldn't fully comprehend the instructions or even enter the right state of mind, he knew that as long as he struck the right poses, it would work.

"Water Vortex, go!" Eric chanted earnestly, then pointed at the empty space in front of him.

Nothing happened.

Eric didn't get discouraged. He didn't know how far he had come in his learning, and he was aware that without talent, he would never truly "feel" it.

But it didn't matter; the system panel would help him!

"Water Vortex!" Eric pointed again. No reaction. He patiently repeated the action over and over, and on the fifth try, he finally got it right!

Whoosh!

A massive whirlpool of water appeared, and the swirling water splashed at high speed. All the surrounding grass and plants were sucked in, torn apart and devoured by the vortex.

Eric's face lit up with excitement. "I did it! This is so easy!"

The power of Water Vortex was enormous. Eric had aimed it at a large rock about half his height. Inside the vortex, it only took a moment for the rock to be sucked in and churned like meat in a grinder. The raging water constantly battered the stone, gradually wearing down its outer layers.

With each passing moment, the rock shrank as it was relentlessly scraped away.

In the end, the rock was completely destroyed!

"Huh, as expected of a C-grade Magic. Not only does it have great power, but it also combines both area-of-effect and control!" Eric was very pleased with his new Magic.

[You have learned a new C-grade Magic. Progress +5.5]

[Triggering a tenfold critical hit! Progress +55]

[Skill: Magic User (Beginner)]

[Progress: (65/500)]

"I didn't expect learning a new Magic would boost my progress so much…" Eric muttered in surprise.

He had long since realized how powerful the panel was, although he still didn't fully understand its mechanics. But just reaching the "Beginner" level had already made him an excellent Low-level Magic User.

And with each increase in progress, even if it was just by a single point, Eric knew that he was advancing at an incredible rate.

Eric could feel the tangible benefits: his magic power increased, his understanding deepened, and a vast amount of experience flooded into his brain.

"It seems like I still have a long way to go before reaching the next level, but compared to ordinary people, I've already advanced so much!" Eric thought to himself, filled with renewed determination.

Though he had just learned the new Magic Water Vortex, he wasn't planning to rest. Instead, he immediately began practicing the Magic he had already learned in the open field.

"Time to grind for progress!" He said, his expression serious.

One hour later...

"Fifteen times, exactly fifteen times!" Eric sat on the grass, utterly exhausted, yet his face was filled with joy!

He had been casting Magic over and over to grind for progress, until he had completely drained his magic power!

This approach left his body utterly fatigued. Right now, Eric was so tired he couldn't even stand up. But the benefit to his training was immense!

Most importantly, this time, Eric had cast Magic fifteen times before reaching exhaustion.

Just one day ago, he could barely manage five casts before he was completely drained.

[Ding, Magic Progress +1.5]

[Ding, Magic Progress +1.5]

[Ding, Tenfold Critical Hit Triggered! Magic Progress +15]

...

[Skill: Magic User (Beginner)]

[Progress: 190/500]

[Description: A novice Magic User just starting out.]

[Effect: Magic power increases, understanding deepens, and the speed of learning new Magic accelerates.]

Eric looked at his current progress on the panel. Since just moments ago, there had been a significant increase!