Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Heavy Pressure Technique

A thought suddenly struck Zelir. ’If I analyze someone’s unique secret technique in the future, I’ll have to be careful when using it. The original owner might show up and demand to know how I learned it.’

"Well, you take your time studying. I’m heading out... Also, remember to go to the General Affairs Office at the beginning of the month to pick up a task. Don’t forget," Bev reminded him.

"Pick up a task? What task?" Zelir was taken aback.

"Well, the subsidy isn’t exactly free. In return, guild members have to complete one mandatory task each month."

Bev explained briefly, "Don’t worry, it’s nothing difficult. At most, it’ll be cleaning the library or gathering medicinal herbs."

"Oh..." Zelir nodded.

Bev turned around, clutching the heavy tome.

Zelir stared blankly at the ribbon fluttering at her waist for a long moment. He only snapped out of it when Bev had completely disappeared from sight.

’Hmm... I’ll call it a day.’

Zelir stretched, got up, and returned the book to its proper place.

After leaving the library, Zelir clasped his hands behind his back and began to stroll around the guild. He first wandered over to the Martial Arts Arena.

There were no Junior Mages passionately blasting each other with spells today; the vast arena was completely empty.

’Right... I can’t expect to get a free show every day.’

However, there was another Mage in the stands.

He looked to be about Zelir’s age, but he had a shy expression, short brown hair, and a pair of very thin glasses perched on his nose.

"Hey," Zelir greeted him first.

The boy pushed up his glasses, clearly not expecting to be addressed. He responded timidly.

"Hey..."

"I’m Zelir. And you?"

"Lante Taylor."

"Oh..."

’Another noble with a surname.’

Zelir gave a slight nod, then made a direct invitation. "How about we go down there and have a friendly match?"

’Let me see if you have any fun Magic.’

"Huh?"

Lante was surprised by Zelir’s words and quickly shook his head.

"N-no, I don’t think so. I just finished my Meditation for the day. If you want to... maybe next time..."

"Alright, next time then."

After bidding farewell to Lante, Zelir sauntered over to the trading post like an idle wanderer.

As always, the trading post was bustling with activity.

After walking around a couple of times to get a better look, Zelir realized that not everyone here was a Mage; there were also many ordinary merchants with special permits.

Zelir was still a Mage with no gear.

A full set of Mage gear wasn’t cheap. First off, there was the Magic Wand.

Needless to say, a ready-made Magic Wand started at Fifty Gold Coins, and it wasn’t surprising for more expensive ones to cost hundreds or even thousands.

Then there was the Magic Robe.

Professional Mages all had a suitable Magic Robe custom-made for themselves.

Much like a Magic Wand, a good Magic Robe could also amplify the power of Magic and shorten Casting time. Depending on the material, it might also come with some special effects.

A Magic Robe was also pricey, almost on par with a Magic Wand.

Zelir recalled Bev’s Deep Red Magic Wand and Light Purple Magic Robe.

’Just those two items together... are probably worth several hundred Gold Coins, right?’

’So wealthy...’ Zelir shook his head and sighed in admiration.

He hadn’t come to the trading post today just to wander around; he also wanted to pick out a Low Level Magic.

It wasn’t realistic to rely on Technique Celestial Calculation to analyze everyone else’s Magic.

Ten Low Level Magic spells was no small number. If he relied purely on luck, there was no telling how long it would take.

It would be better to proactively look for something suitable for him. The more Magic he knew, the more complex situations he could handle.

After browsing for a while, Zelir stopped at an inconspicuous little stall in the main hall.

Many Magic Scrolls were arranged neatly on the small stall, though their quality didn’t seem to be very good.

Magic cannot be recorded on ordinary paper simply by drawing. A Mage must expend a great deal of Spiritual Power to inscribe the complete Spell Structure onto a special Scroll.

Depending on the complexity of the Magic, this process could take anywhere from a day or two to several weeks.

Once a learner obtained the Scroll, they only needed to permeate it with their Spiritual Power to perceive the complete Spell Structure.

The stronger the inscriber’s Spiritual Power, the clearer the Spell Structure on the Magic Scroll, and the more easily the learner could master the Magic.

These better-quality Magic Scrolls often sold for high prices.

There were also Magic Scrolls where the Spell Structure was not so clearly inscribed. The learner had to comprehend them with their full concentration to reproduce the spell.

These Magic Scrolls were consequently cheaper.

Zelir glanced over the items on the stall.

’Strong Light Technique, Ice Seal Skill, Earth and Stone Barrier, Intimidation Skill... Heavy Pressure Technique.’

’Heavy Pressure Technique...’

Zelir’s gaze lingered on the Heavy Pressure Technique.

"You can use your Spiritual Power to peek inside and see the contents. There’s a description in there," the stall owner introduced enthusiastically.

He was a thin middle-aged man with a handlebar mustache.

Perhaps due to his sixth sense, Zelir could tell the man wasn’t a Mage, just an ordinary merchant who had come to sell his wares.

He picked up the Heavy Pressure Technique Scroll, and a sliver of his Spiritual Power seeped into it. A block of information immediately appeared in his mind.

[Heavy Pressure Technique]

Magic Faction: Arcane Magic System

Construction Type: Single-Layer Spell Structure

Magic Level: Level Two

Effect Description: Cast a top-down surge of Magic Power over an area. The target’s movement speed will be slowed by this pressure.

In combat, the Heavy Pressure Technique can serve as a form of crowd control against enemies, making it ideal for creating opportunities for teammates.

After reading the description, Zelir raised an eyebrow slightly.

’This Magic seems pretty good... I’m currently lacking a crowd control skill.’ 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

’It’s always been Marcus and my other teammates creating a favorable environment for me. With the Heavy Pressure Technique, I can also give my teammates some room to attack.’

"Shopkeeper, how much is this one?" Zelir asked, picking up the Scroll.

"Ah, Young Master, you certainly have a keen eye!"

The mustached man’s eyes lit up.

"This is one of my prized possessions, a very practical piece of Arcane Magic! Just look at the texture of this Scroll, it’s made from the hide of a volcanic goat, which has a natural affinity for Magic Power..."

"Stop, stop, stop."

Zelir cut off the mustached man’s spiel. "Just tell me the price."

"Well..."

The mustached man rubbed his hands together and held up four fingers. "A friendly price, four Gold Coins."

Zelir immediately put the Scroll down, turned, and walked away.

"Hey, hey, hey, don’t go!"

Seeing this, the mustached man immediately grew anxious, scrambling out from behind the stall to grab Zelir’s sleeve.

"If you think the price isn’t right, we can negotiate, can’t we...? Why don’t you name a price you think is fair?"