Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 26 Expedient Measures
“Your situation is not unprecedented. In the history of magic, there have always been some exceptionally talented individuals who are either born with a natural affinity for the magic network or whose mental strength is so great that they can access the magic network without the need for rituals. This situation is actually a good thing, as it means that your potential is enough to support you to go very far on this path.”

"The most famous of them all is the one who ended the Nether era. The Archmage Karthus mastered magical skills shortly after his birth, which even alarmed the priestess of the goddess of magic. Another leader of the Dragon Witch Cult is also rumored to be a person who was born with magical abilities."

Old Bentley took another puff of his pipe, somewhat puzzled: "But it's really rare for someone to suddenly comprehend magic at the age of twenty-four."

Zhang Yuan wasn't paying attention to what Bantley said next. When he heard that the other party was actually using Karthus and Samaster as comparisons, his surprise and excitement were already overflowing. He asked impatiently, "Then how should I start learning magic? What books should I read? What do I need to prepare?"

A barrage of questions left Old Man Bartley with a wry smile: "You, hey, do you think learning magic is as simple as buying a jug of wine from Old Man Bartley? Pay, take the wine, drink it all, and that's it?"

Bantley's expression turned serious. He took the pipe from the corner of his mouth and put it aside, looking directly at Zhang Yuan: "Perhaps you don't understand what it really means to be a mage, but I'm telling you, it's not just about being able to cast a few spells to be called a mage."

"Behind every spell lies its own structure, rules, and operating principles. More valuable than using this power is exploring the spell itself and restraining one's impulse to abuse it."

Zhang Yuan nodded quickly in agreement. Now that the other party was the boss, whatever he said went.

Seeing that the young man in front of him didn't really take it to heart, Old Bentley could only sigh. He no longer forced a novice who had just come into contact with magic to accept his ideas. His years of experience and life experience had long made him understand that the most difficult and foolish thing in the world is to impose one's own path on others.

However, even learning magic is not easy: "Becoming even the lowest-level mage has many prerequisites. Whether it is the accumulation of knowledge or the honing of skills, it takes a long time. At least it cannot be accomplished by staying in an inn for two days."

"You should join a reliable mage organization or seek guidance from a learned mentor, instead of wandering around aimlessly and hoping to learn magic on your own." This was the old mage's advice.

In fact, Zhang Yuan did understand Bantli's advice, nor did he dislike it. If he could find a reliable mentor, then following Bantli's advice, not being in a hurry to succeed, and slowly accumulating and honing his skills would not be a bad thing.

Unfortunately, he had no connections whatsoever. He was already in his twenties, had no foundation in the other world, and no substantial family wealth to impress others. To this day, he could only remain a novice in the world of magic.

The most urgent task is to learn magic. As for research and self-control, those are too far off. Zhang Yuan understands this better than anyone else.

Suddenly inspired, Zhang Yuan bowed to the old master before him and said, "Master Bandeli, please allow me to become your apprentice."

Old Banter was startled. After hearing the request, he shook his head: "I'm sorry, I no longer take on apprentices. I've been busy for most of my life and just want to spend the rest of my days tending my inn."

Seeing the disappointment in Zhang Yuan's eyes, Old Banter comforted him, "Sword Bay is more learned than me. Wise mages are like stars in the night sky. If you don't have a goal, I can recommend you to that guy, Old Habasser. I'm sure he won't turn away a talented young man like you."

Although somewhat unwilling, Zhang Yuan, having at least a glimmer of hope, couldn't dwell on the matter of becoming an apprentice. He could only thank them repeatedly and go back to sleep without mentioning it again.

As he turned to leave, Old Man Bentley just looked at him thoughtfully, without coming up to tap him on the head three times, much to the man's disappointment.

The surprise may have been delayed, but it finally arrived.

“Wait a minute,” Old Bentley picked up his pipe again and puffed on it casually, “I heard from Ska that you’re going on a dangerous mission this time?” “The captain even told you this?” Zhang Yuan was a little surprised; his captain wasn’t usually such a blabbermouth.

“I’ve known Skater for over ten years, and even so, he hasn’t told me the specifics.” The old mage tapped his pipe on the counter, looking a little dissatisfied. “Never mind, anyway, Old Bentley isn’t really interested in your Flame Fist business. However, if we’re just dealing with potential risks, I do have a temporary solution.”

After Bantley Mirror's explanation, Zhang Yuan finally understood, or at least nodded frantically, what kind of solution the other party had proposed:
Since a novice mage is currently unable to master a new spell through his own learning, a specific spell ritual can be used to bypass this learning and memorization process and directly transmit the spell model into his mind.

Hearing this suggestion, Zhang Yuan couldn't help but feel that it was the process of his system bestowing upon him the initial spell.
Feeling a sudden pang of panic, Zhang Yuan quickly asked, "If there were such a ritual, wouldn't it be possible to mass-produce mages?"

The old sorcerer opposite him chuckled: "Are you dreaming? Unless it's a blessing ceremony personally presided over by the mysterious lady, there's no way it could have the effect you're describing."

"But you just said you can directly imbue spells, isn't that just creating spellcasters?"

“As I said before, the significance of a mage goes far beyond being able to cast a few spells. Moreover, this ritual has no effect on ordinary people.” Old Banter explained further: “The prerequisite for accepting this ritual is that the recipient must possess the corresponding mental capacity and magic network level of the magic ring. Otherwise, either their sea of ​​consciousness will be damaged by the excessive knowledge and spell models, or they will suffer a spell backlash due to the disconnection from the magic network.”

As for the outcome, there's no need to ask further; just looking at the possible consequences, one can guess that it will be a very tragic ending.

"Even so, isn't this a good learning path for a mage?" Zhang Yuan still had some doubts.

“It is indeed very convenient, but do you know what the price is?” Old Banter said irritably, “The core spells of this ritual are the Dream Spell of the Fifth Circle Illusion School and the Prophecy Spell of the Sixth Circle Prophecy School. Not to mention the casting materials consumed in the ritual, this ritual alone must be presided over by a priest of at least level 12 from a few specific churches such as the Temple of Wisdom and the Church of the Goddess of Magic.”

The penniless man, who was listening with utter astonishment, began to worry about his wallet and asked somewhat guiltily in a low voice, "Approximately how many gold coins will it cost?"

The old mage glanced at him sideways: "Don't worry, you can't afford it anyway. The cost of teaching two level one spells is nearly 200 gold coins, plus the divine spells the priest casts for them. Charging you 500 gold coins is a friendly price."

500 gold coins? This heavy number crushed Zhang Yuan's mind like a giant hammer, and even his legs began to feel unsteady.

"Five hundred? How could it cost five hundred? I knew that anything related to secret arts was never cheap." A certain Xianglin's wife began to mutter to herself.

Seeing that the guy was almost unable to walk, the old mage was both annoyed and amused. "Stop pretending to be crazy. This money is not for you to pay now. You wouldn't be worth this price even if you sold yourself."

"Really? I don't have to pay for this?" Zhang Yuan, who had just been revived, hurriedly asked, afraid that the other party would change their mind.

“You don’t need to pay now, don’t get me wrong,” Bantley corrected him. “Once you become a fully-fledged mage, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to pay me back.”

(End of this chapter)