Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 93 Advancement
Zhang Yuan was furious. If he weren't completely outmatched, he would have definitely given this old bastard a good talking-to.

"Besides the three completed spell models, I think I've also increased my spellcasting level by one." Zhang Yuan, who only dared to roll his eyes to express his dissatisfaction, said honestly.

"Does that mean you received so many gifts on your very first real encounter with the Magic Network?"

“What do you mean by ‘gift’? This is all the result of my own hard work.” Mr. Zhang was very unhappy.

“I’m not denying that. If you didn’t have a thorough understanding of these spell models and a grasp of the related knowledge, the magic network wouldn’t have been imparting these things to you so readily.” Old Bentley first acknowledged Zhang Yuan’s own efforts, and then explained:

"However, guiding the power of the magic network to construct spell models is not an easy task. Even mages who are thoroughly familiar with all aspects and have made thorough preparations beforehand may still fail when constructing spells. The slightest incoordination between mental power and the magic network can lead to unexpected events. Not to mention that you have learned three spells at once."

"As for your spellcasting level increasing, that's to be expected. With your talent, you probably reached that level long ago, it's just that you didn't have enough knowledge before." Old Banter also reminded him: "By the way, this spell is different from the previous awakening and rituals. You need to familiarize yourself with it and practice it repeatedly, otherwise don't expect to be as good at it as other spells."

Nodding in understanding, Zhang Yuan thanked them and left. Before closing the door, he didn't hear Old Ban Teli's mutterings.

"The final mountain, does it really exist? And what about those rumors and the Misra story?"

Before going to sleep, he memorized all his spells except for a summoning spell, including the newly learned spell Five-Colored Ball, and prepared to practice it diligently every day.

After a short night, Zhang Yuan, filled with excitement and anticipation, jumped out of bed as soon as he opened his eyes; he couldn't wait any longer.

The previous knowledge of magic and spellcasting skills were acquired out of thin air, as if they were gifts from others. Of course, that's not entirely wrong. However, the sense of accomplishment when you learn and master a spell through your own efforts is definitely different.

Arriving at Old Bentley's spell lab, as usual, he cast a level one summon monster, but this time the star of the show was the goblin tinkerer.

Seeing the gleam in Old Master Teli's eyes, Zhang Yuan knew that this was none of his business. After asking about the spell practice room, he simply said goodbye and left.

"Incertus, Pulcher, Imperio"

Zhang Yuan finished chanting the incantation at a speed at least twice as slow as usual, only to find embarrassingly that his spellcasting gestures ended too early, and the two were not coordinated at all. So, his first attempt at self-taught spellcasting was a pity, as he couldn't even release a fart.

"Cough~ I must be nervous," someone reassured themselves.

After quickly practicing the hand gestures and incantation, and repeatedly confirming that the synchronization between the two would not go wrong again, Zhang Yuan began the second spellcasting.

"Incertus, Pulcher, Imperio" As the last syllable faded away, Zhang Yuan's hand seals were completed perfectly, and a magic sphere about ten centimeters in diameter, emitting a colorful luster, took shape and quickly flew towards the target in front.

With a "Pia," I stepped forward to observe and found that the spell only caused a slight damage to the target, and its destructive power was even less than that of a magic missile.

However, Zhang Yuan didn't care. First of all, the power of this spell is directly related to the level of the caster. What power can a mere level two mage expect?
What makes this spell truly interesting and practical is that, depending on the caster's level, the colorful orbs that are shot out can cause different negative effects, such as excruciating pain, blindness, petrification, or even instant death!

A level 1 spell! Instant death!
Although the probability is ridiculously low and the difficulty of obtaining an exemption is laughably easy, there is still the saying that one can get lucky, isn't there?
Unfortunately, while the spell was good, the caster was not. Someone finally managed to cast the spell successfully, but the incantation time, which should have taken less than two seconds, turned into more than three seconds.

Zhang Yuan, not entirely satisfied with his own performance, continued his practice. After several simulated practice sessions, he attempted to cast spells in practice, and after several repetitions, he quickly exhausted all his spell slots.

Zhang Yuan, who had barely managed to reduce his casting time to around three seconds, breathed a sigh of relief. He'd already made progress after only a few practices; there was still plenty of time ahead, no need to rush. Having exhausted his spell slots, he went back to Old Man Bartley. Despite the latter's extremely impatient attitude, like shooing away a fly, he relentlessly pleaded and begged until he finally obtained a second list of books, both about advanced casting techniques and second-circle spells.

We have plenty of time, so we can't waste it.

The remaining seven days passed quietly in this monotonous rhythm of practicing magic, reading, answering questions, and returning to the room to continue reading.

During these seven days, Zhang Yuan memorized some auxiliary techniques and tricks for casting spells, such as a method of shortening the chanting time by repeating certain syllables. He also gained some basic knowledge and structural models of second-circle spells.

At the same time, he was already able to cast the three new spells normally, and the gains from this trip even exceeded Zhang Yuan's own expectations.

However, when Zhang Yuan took his leave, it was Old Banter who disagreed.

"Wait, don't rush off. You just upgraded your spell level and learned a new spell. Why don't you consolidate your skills here first? Besides, didn't you not finish reading that book list?"

Has this old man lost his mind? Why is he being so enthusiastic and polite? Knowing what kind of person Old Man Terry is, Zhang Yuan would never believe that the other party simply wants to keep him here and continue to bother him.

"Oh, so your construct research is going well?"

"That's right, you should take a look at my old classmate, Terry... Cough, what are you saying?"

Zhang Yuan didn't say anything, but just looked at the other party and chuckled. He was right. If it weren't for the progress in his research on the repairman, the other party would not have been so willing to ask him to stay.
Seeing that he had already exposed his weakness, Old Banter had no choice but to admit it and tell Zhang Yuan what he had discovered.

Compared to the previous research on the Little Elemental Construct, which yielded almost nothing, this research, while not groundbreaking, is still quite encouraging.

I don't know whether to say that Old Bentley has courage and ambition, or that he's just a master of courting death.

He actually managed to dismantle the repairman's missile.

Although Zhang Yuan had warned him beforehand that the thing was similar to a crossbow but had additional explosive properties, making it a dangerous device, Bantli, protected by several layers of magical shields, still had absolute confidence.

Does that mean your level 1 summoned creature's weapon can kill a level 11 mage like me?

Indeed, it didn't kill it. When Old Banter forcibly dismantled one of the missiles, it exploded as expected.

The shrapnel and intense heat that flew everywhere during the explosion were all stopped by the old mage's shield spell, advanced spell armor, stone skin spell, and a series of protective spells that resisted elemental damage.

Old Man Bartley certainly had reason to be confident. This multitude of spells, constantly flashing with various lights, not only illuminated him like a neon sign, but also considered almost every possible type of damage. However...

Thank you to "I'm a fence-sitter" for the generous donation, and thank you to all my dear readers for your company and encouragement. Happy New Year to everyone!

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(End of this chapter)