Chapter 33: The Gap in Talent

What surprised Li De even more was a system notification that appeared after he successfully modified Mage Hand.

"Ding~ Successfully modified Mage Hand.

Modification advantages: Stable magic model structure, power increased by 5 times, gained transformation effect.

Disadvantages: Mana consumption increased by 50%.

Evaluation: Excellent. Although mana consumption has significantly increased, the enhanced power and transformation effects compensate for this drawback.

Reward: 500 character experience."

This was the first experience Li De had gained in over ten days, and it came from the reward for modifying a spell.

Li De Kachar

Race: Vampire (Progenitor)

Level: Mage lv10 (603/5000), Warrior lv5 (Level cap reached)

Mana: 652/652

Innate Talents: Vampire Progenitor (Unique), Bloodline Shackles (Restricted), Mana Affinity (Extreme)

Racial Skills: Bat Transformation, Blood Drain Recovery, Superhuman Physique (Passive)

Spells: Tier 1 Spells: Small Fireball, Lightning Bolt, Puppetry, Mage Hand, Magic Shield, Waterfall

Tier 2 Spells: Detection, Large Fireball, Thunderstorm, Greater Puppetry, Mana Surge, Haste, Enhancement

Tier 3 Spells: Teleport, Void Walk, Explosive Fireball

Originally, the experience on the attribute panel was 103. Now, it had increased to 603.

The Vampire Progenitor talent allowed him to gain a certain amount of experience every month, but it would only be calculated at the end of the month.

To level up from 10 to 11 required 5,000 experience points. Modifying a spell, including the time spent conceptualizing, took less than ten days. This meant that modifying ten Tier 1 spells would allow him to level up in three months.

Although he felt a strong urge to continue, he suppressed the thought.

There were more important tasks at hand, and he didn't have the luxury of spending all his time researching magic in the mage tower.

"It's too difficult."

"90 magic nodes? Is this still Mage Hand?"

"Can someone teach me? I can't learn this."

"By the Goddess of Magic, why does this magic node need to run in reverse?"

On the third floor of the mage tower, 22 apprentices listened quietly to Li De's lecture, but their hearts were filled with despair.

Initially, they were excited when they saw Li De's modified version of Mage Hand.

It meant they might also have a chance to learn it.

Lord Li De was indeed generous, meticulously drawing out the magic model and guiding them in constructing it.

But when they actually tried to build the magic model, they realized just how complex it was.

Many of the magic nodes contradicted what they had previously learned. Reverse intersecting nodes, nodes running in opposite directions, and various other unconventional node arrangements left them utterly baffled.

It was too difficult.

A magic model with 50 nodes could qualify one as an official mage. Now, they were expected to study a model with 90 nodes. It was overwhelming.

Sharing the results of his hard work was a source of pride and joy for Li De, but after his enthusiastic lecture, he noticed something was off with the apprentices.

"Vina, do you have any questions?"

Vina, who had diligently recorded every word Li De said in her notebook, stood up with a downcast expression.

"Lord Li De, your method is too difficult for us.

Mana feels like thick mercury to us. Even moving a small amount requires a tremendous amount of mental energy. We can't do it as effortlessly as you."

Hearing this, Li De was momentarily stunned.

He hadn't realized the gap between individuals. The Vampire Progenitor's bloodline granted him the Mana Affinity talent, making mana manipulation as natural as breathing.

But for ordinary mage apprentices, mana was like a heavy lead ball. Moving even a small amount required significant effort.

Constructing a magic model as easily as he did was impossible for most apprentices.

In simple terms, it was the difference between a genius and an average person.

A top student might tell a struggling student that paying attention in class is enough to learn, but no matter how hard the struggling student tries, they can't catch up to the top student.

The gap in talent is often insurmountable.

The Green City Mage Guild had over 1,000 registered official mages, but only one transcendent mage.

That was the difference.

Realizing he had been somewhat idealistic, Li De fell silent for a moment.

His talent was among the strongest even among vampires, and vampires were a superior race, natural spellcasters. The average human's talent couldn't compare to an ordinary vampire, let alone him.

After some thought, he said, "Don't worry. First, familiarize yourselves with the Mage Hand magic model. Once you've mastered it, you can start studying this derivative spell.

This seemingly complex derivative spell isn't as difficult as it appears. At its core, it's still based on the Mage Hand magic model.

I'll write down my research and thought process for you. Once you're familiar with it, you can start constructing the model."

Hearing Li De's words, the apprentices nearly jumped for joy.

They were incredibly fortunate to have such a generous and understanding mentor like Lord Li De.

After writing the relevant information on the magical blackboard, Li De left the room, deep in thought.

It seemed it was time to recruit a new batch of apprentices.

Among the current group, there were too few with real talent. Li De could sense that at least half of the apprentices had mediocre talent. Becoming an official mage might be a significant challenge for them.

When the Vampire Progenitor recruited apprentices, he hadn't been serious about teaching them, so many who barely met the standards were accepted. This directly resulted in the low quality of the apprentices.

Li De needed a large number of talented individuals, especially human mages. The Crimson Mage Tower couldn't rely solely on him in the future.

As for the vampires, he didn't need to worry too much. Once the farming plan succeeded and the ancient castle developed, the advantages of being a superior race would become evident.

"Lord Li De, Laurent is waiting for you on the first floor."

Vina followed closely behind Li De as he left the room, her slightly curled golden hair looking particularly beautiful. Her blue eyes, like the most exquisite sapphires, sparkled with a captivating light.

"Has the Golden Wheat Merchant Guild finished purchasing the grain?"

"Lord Li De, Laurent came last time to report on this.

The Golden Wheat Merchant Guild's warehouse in Green City isn't large. The grain purchased recently has already filled it to capacity, and it urgently needs to be dealt with."

Li De nodded.

The Golden Wheat Merchant Guild wasn't a large organization, and its warehouse was modest. The amount of grain needed to feed 100,000 people for a month was no small quantity.

"Alright, come with me to see him. From now on, when I'm not around, you'll be in charge of the Golden Wheat Merchant Guild's affairs."

Vina's face showed a mix of surprise and anxiety.

"Lord Li De, are you... are you planning to expel me from the mage tower? I swear by the Goddess of Magic, I will work hard to become an official mage."

Seeing the girl's panicked expression, like a frightened rabbit, Li De shook his head.

"That's not the case. Learning magic and managing a merchant guild aren't mutually exclusive. If you're unwilling, I'll find someone else suitable."

Vina was highly intuitive, and Li De had high hopes for her, both as a mage and as a manager for the guild.

"If it's your request, I will accept. But I won't fall behind in my magical studies."

Looking at her slightly stubborn face, Li De smiled faintly and turned to head downstairs.

Vina watched Li De's retreating figure and clenched her small fist.

Lord Li De, I won't let you expel me from the mage tower. I will become an official mage~

Over the past two days, Li De had casually inquired about the process of recruiting mage apprentices. The perceptive Vina had sensed a change in the atmosphere, which made her particularly sensitive.

When they reached the first floor, Laurent, who had been waiting, quickly approached.

The Golden Wheat Merchant Guild's warehouse had been overflowing for days.

The piles of grain had given him so much stress that his hair was turning gray. This was over a thousand gold pucks' worth of grain!

Especially now, with the Beastmen invasion, the influx of refugees made the situation even more precarious. If a riot broke out, the thirty to fifty people in the Golden Wheat Merchant Guild wouldn't be able to hold them off.

Such incidents weren't unheard of. Every winter, starving civilians would storm merchants' estates. Recently, Laurent had noticed an increase in people around the Golden Wheat Merchant Guild.

Not just commoners and beggars, but also members of underground organizations were lurking nearby.

If it weren't for Li De's formidable presence, the Golden Wheat Merchant Guild would have already been looted.

At this time, grain held immense significance.

"Lord Li De, we've collected half of the grain, but the Golden Wheat Merchant Guild's warehouse is completely full.

The Alex Merchant Guild is also urging us to move the purchased grain as soon as possible. What should we do?"

Li De reassured the anxious Laurent.

"Don't worry. I'll send a few mage apprentices to help guard the Golden Wheat Merchant Guild.

The grain will be transported out of the city tomorrow morning. I'll have someone come to receive it."

"Transport it out of the city?"

Laurent was momentarily stunned. Weren't they supposed to store it in a warehouse and sell it after winter?

"Lord Li De, with you here, those dirty rats and beggars wouldn't dare to attack the Golden Wheat Merchant Guild. There's no need to go through the trouble of transporting it out of the city. It would take too much time to sell it later.

Besides, outside the city is far less safe than inside. We could just rent a couple of large warehouses near the mage tower."

Li De waved his hand dismissively.

"This grain won't be sold within the city. I've already found a buyer. You don't need to worry about it."

He was joking. This grain was the foundation of his farming plan. Once it was transported to the ancient castle, he could start acquiring population.

Selling it would only earn him a few gold pucks, but population was a far more valuable resource than gold.