To give Zelir a more intuitive understanding, Marvin decided to give a personal demonstration.

He casually extended his palm.

In that instant, Zelir didn’t even sense a Magic Wave or any other sign of casting before a dazzling Rhombus Missile rapidly finished coalescing.

’One second, or two?’

Zelir couldn’t help but gasp in amazement.

’Instructor Marvin charges Arcane Missile faster than I can cast the Fireball Skill with a White Wax Wood Base Material!’

The Arcane Missile also targeted the stone wall, leaving a trail in its wake like a comet.

"BOOM!!!"

The moment it struck the stone wall, a Magic Wave several times more powerful than the last swept out, kicking up fierce gusts of wind!

The stone wall Riley had summoned was completely destroyed.

"Come, Zelir, try again," Instructor Marvin said.

Zelir nodded, then closed his eyes and began to readjust according to what Instructor Marvin had just said.

He skipped the step of Perceiving his environment, immersing himself completely in his sea of consciousness.

Magic Power began to surge again, sketching the Spell Structure along its pathways.

But this time, having omitted the extraneous steps, the entire energy-gathering process for the Magic became unprecedentedly smooth. Everything just fell into place.

"BOOM!"

Zelir’s Arcane Missile whizzed out.

This time, he successfully shortened his casting time from over seven seconds to just over six, the same as his Flame Breath Skill.

Zelir was ecstatic about this huge improvement.

"Very good. You’re progressing very quickly." Instructor Marvin smiled, satisfied.

’I knew my judgment was sound.’

Riley, who had witnessed the entire exchange from the sidelines, had mixed feelings.

It was true that his current speed casting the Level Three Magic, Water of Cutting, was faster than Zelir’s, but that was the result of several years of dedicated practice.

When Riley was sixteen, he was nowhere near as outstanding as Zelir.

Casting Arcane Missile twice in a row had left his internal Magic Power a bit depleted, but Zelir still couldn’t hide his delight.

He excitedly placed a hand on his chest, bowed slightly, and expressed his thanks.

"Instructor Marvin, thank you for your guidance!"

"It’s also because you’re a quick study that you succeeded on your first try."

Instructor Marvin tossed the Crystal that Riley had used earlier to Zelir.

"This is a Source Energy Crystal Stone. There’s still a lot of energy left inside. It can quickly replenish your Magic Power. Don’t let these two Arcane Missiles affect today’s Meditation."

"Thank you, Instructor Marvin."

Zelir caught it steadily. He thought for a moment, then spoke again, "Instructor Marvin, I actually have another question for you."

"Go on."

"The process of advancing to a Junior Mage... what is it really like?"

This question had been troubling Zelir for a long time.

"Is it like you said, starting with Level Two Magic, improving casting speed bit by bit, and then slowly transitioning to optimizing the Spell Structure of Level Three Magic?"

"Hmm... that question."

Instructor Marvin thought for a moment.

"Let’s put it this way: the moment you truly become a Junior Mage, you won’t need us to recognize it. You’ll know it yourself."

"Through daily Meditation and practice, your Magic Power will continuously grow stronger."

"When these little bits of progress accumulate and reach a certain threshold, your Spring Seed will undergo a transformation."

"That transformation will instantly raise your power by a significant amount. It’s very easy to perceive."

"The so-called evaluation criteria are really just a way for the guild to recognize your strength."

"After all, they have to base the stipends on something... But as long as you’ve experienced that transformation, you’ll definitely be able to pass the assessment."

"So that’s how it is..." Zelir nodded thoughtfully.

’The so-called transformation is the overall boost you get when your attribute points reach a certain threshold.’

"Then why is Casting Speed the only evaluation criterion?"

Zelir asked again.

"Isn’t there another standard, like reaching a certain level of Magic Power Strength?"

"Because this is the experience left by our predecessors. In the era before the Magic System was fully formed, Mages could only grope their way forward, practicing in their chosen directions," Marvin said.

"Some people focused on increasing their Magic Power Strength during Meditation, while others focused more on improving their Magic Manipulation Level."

"But in the end, without exception, it was always those who improved their Magic Manipulation Level who broke through first and reached the next realm."

"That’s why the guild established assessment standards based primarily on Casting Speed. It’s also to better guide you on your path and prevent you from going astray."

"I see... Thank you for clearing my doubts, Instructor Marvin," Zelir said respectfully.

"Alright, you keep up the good work. I have high hopes for you. Keep it up."

After encouraging Zelir with a few words, Marvin left the Martial Arts Arena with Riley, and the Mages on the viewing platform also gradually dispersed.

After Instructor Marvin was a good distance away, Zelir flipped his hand and tucked the Energy Crystal he had just received into his pouch.

’I can’t bear to use something this good right now.’

’Anyway, I don’t need Meditation to get stronger. It’s inefficient and boring.’

Zelir had seen the price of Energy Crystals at the exchange before. They started at five or six Gold Coins, at least.

Consumables that could quickly replenish Magic Power were always in demand. Wealthy Mages would always keep a few on hand for emergencies.

Just as Zelir was also preparing to leave the Martial Arts Arena, a familiar voice called out from the viewing platform.

"Zelir!"

Zelir looked toward the voice and saw Lante, who was jumping and waving at him.

"Yo, Lante," Zelir waved back in response.

Lante scrambled down from the viewing platform, taking the steps two or three at a time, his eyes shining with admiration.

"Your performance just now was so cool!"

Lante held out his hand, mimicking the way Zelir had cast Arcane Missile.

"WHOOSH, and you released such a powerful spell! And you were able to improve immediately after listening to Instructor Marvin’s teachings. I still don’t quite get what he meant."

"Really? Haha... It was nothing special."

Being praised so openly by Lante made Zelir a little embarrassed.

"I think you’ll definitely become a Junior Mage before Riley!"

Lante had a determined look on his face, his tone quite confident.

"I’ve also been working hard during this time. Ever since you told me those things last time, Zelir, I’ve been practicing constantly. Look."

Lante opened his palm toward the front and began to gather energy for a spell.

The surrounding temperature began to drop. Water vapor started to condense in Lante’s palm, slowly turning into Ice Crystals.

After about eight seconds, a sharp-edged Ice Cone finally took shape.

The Ice Cone shot toward the ruined stone wall with a SWISH, exploding into a shower of snowflakes and ice shards.

Although his Casting Speed was still very slow, and his understanding of the Spell Structure was still a bit raw.

Still, it was a huge improvement over last time.