Chapter 69 - [Bonus ]A Lecture In Magic (1)

"Well, first and foremost get the naive notion that you will ever reach my level of prowess out of your head. I don't know how old you are but the fact that you are already an adult but haven't yet unlocked the first-star means you are incompetent," said Arcem as he began his explanation.

Arcem was under the notion that someone who unlocked their variant element was probably in their late 20's or 30's. Arcem had unlocked light magic at the age of 29 and was considered a genius among his peers.

"Secondly I will not tell you about my breathing techniques. I can already see how desperate you are to go to the next level but I will not share with you that information, even if you attempt to kill me," said Arcem shortly after.

"I will skip the basics which I am sure you are already familiar with. Advanced magic begins at tier 4. You only unlock tier 4 at the 3-star level." begun Arcem.

"Tier 4 magic is special in the sense that it is the entry-level of spells that use lifeforce. I'm sure, you've heard of the term before but let me explain it again since you seem to be rather dull. Lifeforce is the essence that your body extracts from the world energy, it is the part that your mana core is unable to absorb."

"As the world energy that you novices so idiotically refer to as mana enters your body, it is divided into its fundamental parts. It is divided into the four basic elements plus the essence of life. All creatures are able to absorb the life essence regardless of whether they are mages or not. That's why we have some people who believe themselves to be powerful just because they can utilize life essence without so much as a spec of mana in their bodies."

"The four basic elements are then absorbed by your mana core after the life essence is absorbed by the body. The absorbed elements however are usually just used to fuel spells unless you use a breathing technique. When a breathing technique is used, the mana core is forced to retain some of the mana absorbed causing it to mature. This process is hard as I'm sure you know since you are not yet a 1-star mage yet." said Arcem with a scoff.

"Now back to the main concept. Tier 4 magic utilises both the mana in the mana core and the life essence to cast more powerful spells. The difference between a spell with life essence and without is drastic." said Arcem as she unleashed a fireball first that barely showed any power and unleashed another one that caused a major explosion.

"The reason why you can't cast tier 4 magic before reaching the 3-star stage is because your mana core will become poisoned if it tried to interact with the life essence without being mature enough. Be my guest and attempt to copy me but I promise you you will only earn yourself an early grave."

"The problem with tier 4 magic is that you can only utilize it with the element you have an affinity for. Of course some people like the Grand Magus are able to utilize other elements he is not attuned with until tier 6, but that takes a considerable amount of concentration and skill. Dealing with a tier 4 spell of an element you are not attuned with is like trying to play with a wild beast."

"The spell is likely to go out of control and kill you," said Arcem as he looked into the fire with regret in his eyes.

"What element are you attuned with?" asked Arya out of curiosity.

"Are you blind? Fire of course, didn't you see me silent cast that fireball?" asked Arcem angrily.

"About that. How do I learn to silent cast?" asked Arya trying to milk out as much information as he could.

"Give up on that, you are already too old. Learning to silent cast is like learning a new language. The chances of you learning now are too low. But silent casting is learned by memorizing the runes of the spells of the element you are attuned to and drawing them in your mind while activating your mana."

"It sounds easy but it takes a lot of practice. Most people give up past the age of 19," said Arcem as he looked slightly embarrassed probably reminded about his inability to silent cast light magic.

If Arcem could silent cast light magic he would have two elements he could silent cast in his arsenal putting him at the level of a variant. He was kind of envious of Arya but was happy because Arya seemed incompetent. He didn't even know about the basics that were taught in school.

"Hmm. How many elements can one mage be attuned with?" asked Arya after he had run out of questions.

"What a silly question. Disregarding variants, as you guys don't have multiple elements you are attuned with but rather just an advanced form of your naturally attuned element, most mages only have one element. Some geniuses like me have two, while people like the Grand Magus and current pope have three."

"In theory, one could be gifted with all six but no one has ever heard of something so absurd," said Arcem.