Chapter 18. The Week

Arthur could barely sit still when he woke up the next morning and remembered that the week ahead was filled with new opportunities and preparations. This was the chance he had been waiting for—not just to solidify his success as a first-level wizard apprentice but also to lay the foundation for further growth.

The first thing Arthur decided to do was to create a clear plan for the week. He knew his time was limited, and wasting even a single day would be unacceptable. He divided his schedule into several key areas: deepening his knowledge, working with the magic circle, practicing spellcasting, and, if time allowed, studying the basics of transformation.

Right after breakfast, Arthur headed to the library. He had never seen it in its full scope—most sections had always been off-limits. Now, a completely new part of the library had opened before him, filled with books that seemed invaluable.

The librarian, a tall man with a thick beard, set his quill aside as Arthur approached the desk.

— This is your first time in this section, — he said with a slight smile. — Congratulations on your advancement. Can I help you with your selection?

Arthur wasn't sure where to start.

— I need something to deepen my knowledge of runes and magic circles. Preferably something related to practical application.

The librarian nodded and pointed to the far corner of the hall.

— There, you'll find treatises on creating complex rune systems. They're not all easy to understand, but they'll be useful for your level.

Arthur made his way to the indicated section and immersed himself in reading. He chose a book titled "Rune Systems and Their Effective Use in Combat." Its pages described more advanced principles of rune scheme construction, which could be used to enhance spells. Some techniques could make a magic circle more efficient or increase activation speed.

The next day, Arthur decided to improve his Cortexium spell. He entered his spiritual world and examined his magic circle. After reading the book, he realized that the circle could be optimized. He added several runes that accelerated the activation process. It took him nearly the entire day, but the result was worth it—now, the spell activated in three seconds instead of six.

Additionally, he decided to test the spell's combat capabilities. On the academy's training grounds, he used Cortexium against a combat dummy. The bark covering his body managed to withstand several blows, but Arthur noticed that prolonged exposure to magic reduced its protective properties.

Wanting to expand his knowledge beyond runes and spells, Arthur found a book on magical alchemy in the library. It described the creation of potions and enchanted items. Despite the complexity of the material, he understood that alchemy could be useful for crafting objects that enhanced his magical abilities. Unfortunately, he didn't have time to delve deeply into this field just yet.

On the fourth day, Arthur devoted himself entirely to his spiritual world. He noticed that the new runes and spells had made his inner forest somewhat chaotic. Some trees had started to wither, which could affect the stability of his spiritual realm.

Arthur spent several hours trying to restore balance. He took time to create a small pond in the center of the forest to enhance the flow of spiritual energy. This work helped him better understand the interaction between the elements of his spiritual world.

Needing a break from studying, Arthur decided to take a walk around the academy. On the way, he met Anya, who looked cheerful and lively.

— Arthur, you look serious as always, — she said with a laugh. — How's your training going?

Arthur shared his progress, and Anya listened with interest. She told him that she, too, was preparing for an important test and was studying the Soul Rune, which she wanted to incorporate into her spiritual world.

That evening, Arthur realized how important such encounters were. They helped him feel like part of the academy, rather than just being lost in his own thoughts and goals.

Afterward, Arthur returned to training. He noticed that using Cortexium was becoming more intuitive. He experimented with applying it not only for defense but also for offense, forming sharp protrusions on his hands from the hardened bark.

He also worked on his endurance, trying to extend the duration of the spell. Although his spiritual energy recovered quickly, it was still limited, and he needed to work on increasing it constantly.

On the final day before the transformation course, Arthur spent time reviewing his progress. He realized how much he had accomplished in just a week—his knowledge had expanded, his practice had improved, and his confidence had grown.

That evening, he entered his spiritual world one last time to check on the magic circle and runes. The forest was stable, the energy flowed smoothly, and Arthur felt ready for new challenges.

The night before the course was calm. Arthur went to sleep with a sense of satisfaction and slight anticipation. He knew something entirely new awaited him, and he was ready for it.

***

The next evening, Arthur stepped into a spacious hall where his first transformation magic class was about to begin. Soft light streamed from magical crystals embedded in the walls, giving the room an atmosphere of calm and focus.

Standing before the students was a young woman, presumably their new instructor. She had thick chestnut hair styled in a neat wave, a strict gaze, and confident movements. She radiated both youthful energy and deep knowledge.

— Welcome to the Transformation Magic course, — she began with a slight smile, surveying the students. Her voice was steady and calm, but each intonation commanded respect. — My name is Amelia Vale, and I will be your guide in mastering one of the most complex yet fascinating schools of magic.

Arthur tensed, listening intently to every word.

— You may have heard of the great wizard Malik, the founder of our academy, — Amelia continued, stepping toward the lectern. — Malik was not just a master of transformation; he was a true innovator in the field. His work laid the foundation for all the knowledge we study here. The academy prides itself on its legacy, which is tied to one of the most intricate and respected magical disciplines. But I must warn you—transformation is not about simple tricks and visual effects. It is the art of deeply understanding the essence of things.

She looked at the students, as if assessing their inner readiness.

— Unlike other schools of magic, transformation requires meticulous preparation. To master it, you will need to study complex rune circles, understand the principles of alchemy, and even grasp the basics of magical anatomy. This is one of the most difficult branches of magic. To learn even a basic transformation spell, you will have to spend not hours but days, fully focusing on constructing a rune circle within your spiritual world. Only when the circle is complete will you be able to activate the spell in reality.

Arthur listened carefully. It sounded challenging, but at the same time, incredibly intriguing.

Amelia continued, waving her hand through the air. For a moment, a complex rune circle appeared before her.

— This is the basic transformation circle, designed by Malik himself. Its purpose is to transmute simple objects. Today, we will analyze its structure and principles, but creating this circle in your spiritual world will be your homework. Remember, a mistake in rune placement can lead to unstable spellcasting.

Amelia stepped aside, leaving the floating circle visible.

— Your first task is to understand how the three core runes in this circle work: Transformation, Structure, and Stabilization. These runes form the foundation of any transformation spell. To create the circle, you will need to carve them into your spiritual world and connect them with energy channels. The more precise you are, the more stable your spell will be.

She gave the students a moment to grasp the scale of the task.

— This will take you several days. You must not only carve the runes but also fine-tune the energy flow between them to form a closed circuit.

Arthur took a deep breath. The task seemed difficult, but he was ready to take it on.

***

After the lecture, Arthur returned to his room and immediately immersed himself in his spiritual world. The forest around him was quiet and calm, as if waiting for him to begin. He selected a small clearing and started carving the first rune—Transformation.

His movements were careful and focused. Every line, every detail required attention and concentration. As he finished the first rune, he felt a faint pulse of energy flowing through it. This was only the beginning.

It took him two days to complete the entire circle. He not only carved the runes but also meticulously adjusted the energy channels connecting them. Even the slightest error could destabilize the entire structure. He had to redo the channels multiple times until he achieved complete stability.

When the circle was finally complete, Arthur felt a surge of satisfaction. He had done it. Now, he could begin practicing transformation magic.

At the next class, Amelia checked the students' progress. Some had managed to create their circles, while others struggled. When she examined Arthur's work, her gaze softened, and she gave a barely noticeable nod.

— Well done, — she said. — Your circle is stable, and your rune work is precise.