Mythology Rebooted-Chapter 36 - 34 Magic Can’t Be Such an Inconvenience

36: Chapter 34 Magic Can’t Be Such an Inconvenience

36 -34 Magic Can’t Be Such an Inconvenience

Hefei was an exceptionally great mentor, who taught her students with utmost dedication.

Especially during the question-and-answer sessions, she was incredibly patient.

Wayne was also very dedicated in his learning.

It was evident that the teacher was overly qualified.

With Hefei’s capabilities, teaching the basics in foundation magic courses was undoubtedly an underutilization of her talents, more exaggerated than using a cannon to kill a mosquito.

Wayne didn’t want to miss this opportunity, he showcased a tremendous learning ability and memory, absorbing knowledge like a sponge, frantically soaking up the nourishment Hefei fed him.

Rather than saying he was absorbing, it would be more appropriate to say he was squeezing every drop.

Hefei quietly wiped the cold sweat from her forehead; this student was too terrifying.

If it were anyone else teaching, they would have been drained dry by Wayne by now.

Under Hefei’s guidance, Wayne turned to the ‘Four Elements’ chapter as per the index.

The Hexastar Grimoire included some spells related to the Four Elements.

There weren’t many spells; each element corresponded to three or four spells, adding up to no more than fifteen in total.

Mastery of the Four Elements and casting their corresponding basic spells was a fundamental course for mages, separate from faith-related magic and Divine Arts, which weren’t included in the Hexastar Grimoire.

Even if they were included, it would be useless; these spells were stamped by faith, only accessible to followers of the respective deities, belonging to the legacy within The Church members.

Wayne asked numerous questions, and Hefei answered each one of them.

Wayne was amazed that mages in this world could cast instant spells, casting basic spells effortlessly with experience and advanced spells through faith.

Unless their thoughts were in disarray, mages wouldn’t falter in battle.

Running out of mana was an exception.

“I’ve told you before, everyone’s Hexagram emphasizes different points, so the basic spells they are proficient in also vary.”

Hefei pointed to each line of spells, explaining them to Wayne word by word and dissecting the deeper meaning behind the spells, giving Wayne a more intuitive understanding of what constituted magic spells.

“Simply put, a spell is a formula for requesting the manifestation of magic; the type of spell you use determines the form of magic you get.”

“Powerful mages can create their own formulas.

They are not confined by spells and can rely on their own thoughts and will to innovate, even with Divine Arts related to faith, finding the most suitable form of magic for themselves.”

“Thus, the spell itself is not important; the key lies in thought.”

The purpose of spells is to provide a more intuitive representation of formulas.

They are the thought processes mages use to perform magic.

The popularization of these formulas allows beginners to easily master magic.

For example, a commonly used formula for the area of a right-angled triangle is S=1/2ab.

Beginners do not need to understand why, just remembering this formula allows them to solve the problem.

With enough practice, the answers become clear, so it’s only natural for mages to cast instant spells.

Wayne nodded his head in understanding; he got the principle.

Chris had once said that magic changed the manifestation of reality depending on the mage’s thought process.

Magic power was only the lever; thought was the key.

One should not fuss over spells, for magic was not so inconvenient!

Chris: Thanks for the invitation, but that’s not what I said.

Wayne coveted the magic formulas within the book and, unable to wait, looked at Hefei.

Seeing the Glamor Lady teacher smiling encouragingly, he began to recite the incantation and attempted his first spell.

His previous transformation didn’t count; it was a blur, and he still hadn’t figured it out.

Unsurprisingly, Wayne’s attempt failed.

Hefei smiled and explained, “Your magic power is too weak.

Of course, it’s not just about magic power.

More importantly, it’s about the Hexagram.

You lack the Four Elements within you; you haven’t even lit them yet.”

Hefei might have been a bit shortsighted, for she took out a pair of gold-rimmed glasses and put them on, which slightly concealed her aggressively sharp features and added an intellectual elegance to her charm.

She turned the pages back to the Hexagram and pointed at each element, saying, “Generally speaking, being adept at using two types of Elemental Magic is a sign of an excellent student, three is a rare genius…”

“And almost no one masters all four!”

“The difficulty lies in the Water and Fire Elements, which are opposing forces.

When it comes to people, that’s the strength of their desires.”

“Those with strong desires excel in the Fire Element, while those with low desires excel in the Water Element.

Those who perfectly balance desire…

are not skilled in either the Fire or Water Elements.”

“Earth and Wind are the favorites among Mages and are adeptly used by most.”

Hefei spoke slowly, “The former can grant Mages a strong physique.

Even as Mages, we all have the heart for melee combat.

For example, I myself am very skilled at close combat…never mind, I am an exception; let’s not talk about that here.”

“The popularity of the Wind Element is easier to understand; it is the breath of life, signifying health and eternal youth.

Every living being, man or woman, dreams of it.”

“By comparison, Water and Fire are incompatible.

Intentionally pursuing a perfect balance of both elements will result in double loss and half the effort.

It’s not worth it; mastering one of the two is enough.”

“I’m from an academy background, and the instructors there tend to encourage students to restrain their desires, that is, to master the Water Element.

Strong desire means ambition, which is good, but it also seriously interferes with a Mage’s thinking, the ‘me’ in the Hexagram.”

“Being overwhelmed by desire, ‘I’ will gradually lose reason, falling deeper the more I interact with nothingness, eventually becoming an extreme character known as a dark Mage.”

Hefei solemnly stated, “The students are too young to resist temptation; you are the same.

Do not come into excessive contact with the external Fire Element.

They will enhance your desires and make you greedy, irritable, lustful, lazy, proud, and easily jealous of others’ achievements.”

Wayne: “…”

You just talk; why are you looking at me?

I’m not proud, nor am I jealous of anyone.

Hefei emphasized the terror of desires once more and flipped the pages back to the chapter of the Four Elements, finished explaining all the spells, and moved on to the most crucial part of tonight’s lesson.

The Hades Meditation Method!

“The Hades Meditation Method can strengthen thinking and be used for cultivating magic power.

Let’s start with something simple tonight.

Try to communicate with the Four Elements through meditation.

Don’t rush into the void; the vast world is too early for you—it’s dangerous…”

Hefei cautioned, “The basic knowledge of magic is sufficient to light your Hexagram.

Remember this, do not exceed it, and certainly do not try to challenge yourself.

Your current state of mind cannot withstand too intense an impact.”

Wayne nodded obediently and, after getting familiar with the Hades Meditation Method, excitedly glanced at Hefei.

“I really can’t with you!”

Hefei took off her glasses, “Give it a try, and don’t worry if you fail.

The meditation method passed down by The Church is very gentle, and with your sister watching over you, nothing will go wrong.”

Wayne sat cross-legged on the sofa, eagerly sitting up straight.

The Hades Meditation Method didn’t have strict requirements for postures—standing, lying down, doing handstands, or sitting with one’s buttocks in the air—as long as the position was comfortable and made it easier to get into the right state, that was the one to use.

Wayne’s choice to sit cross-legged was a personal obsession, treating magic as if it were immortal cultivation.

With the meditation method, Wayne’s breathing gradually became even, and he felt as if he had gained an extra pair of eyes, a pair of grayish-white eyes.

Through these eyes, Wayne saw a grayish-white world, similar to an X-ray.

He saw the grayish Hefei opposite him and the Four Elements Radiant Spot coiled within his body.

There were also those Elemental Radiant Spots drifting freely in nature—stable earth, restless fire, tranquil water, and lively wind.

Something didn’t feel right!

The perspective was off!

Wayne realized that his viewpoint was at his chest, he didn’t have a pair of eyes but just a single one, much larger than that of an ordinary person.

Damn, the aftereffects of merging with The Book of Greed were still there!

Wayne was about to stop meditating to ask Hefei if there was still time to save him from his condition when he heard Hefei’s guiding voice.

“Wayne, stretch out your hands and embrace the elements of nature, and remember not to communicate with the Fire Element, that’s desire, and you can’t control them yet.”

Following the advice, Wayne tried to extend his grotesquely wrinkled, undulating hands, thinking it would be difficult, but he succeeded easily.

A few sticky tentacles stretched out.

Wayne: “…”

What on earth am I now?

Never mind, I’ll just go with it—tentacles and all, they match up perfectly with Magician Girl!

The elements were terrified and scurried away in a hurry.

Earth moved the slowest, wind the fastest, and water was almost crying!

Fire was different, though—it stopped after running for a bit.

The Fire Elements were intrigued by Wayne and, after a moment’s hesitation, eagerly played with the tentacles.

Wayne remembered Hefei’s teachings and only let the Fire Elements touch him, refusing to let them enter his body.

He rejected the enthusiastic Fire Elements and with his tentacles, snatched away the earth, wind, and water Elemental Radiant Spots.

Yes, he plundered them.

Here’s one, and there’s another, tsk tsk, let me see, is there one hidden here?

Hee hee hee, caught you!

Wherever the tentacles passed, the Three Elements fled.

The unlucky ones caught would struggle fiercely, weeping and begging their companions to pull them back.

The companions: Die on your own, let go of my hand quickly!

Across the desk, Hefei’s eyes flickered with green light.

She didn’t see Wayne’s large eye, nor the domineering tentacles; she only saw him absorbing one Radiant Spot after another into his body.

Such a terrifying Elemental Affinity!

To charm the elements so on the first meditation, with each competing for Wayne’s attention, how formidable he would be later on!

Hefei remembered that during her first meditation, it was so difficult to communicate with the elements that it took her great effort to introduce only earth and wind, one of each, and that was all.

Her classmates all ended in failure, while the teacher lavishly praised her as a genius.

Her position as Regional High Priest also proved the teacher’s judgment correct; she truly was a genius.

But Wayne…

“Gulp!”

Hefei swallowed, her eyes shining, grateful the Nature Goddess had blessed her to act quickly, intercepting Wayne before the follower of the Moonlight Goddess could.

She was about to praise Wayne, but hesitated with the words at her lips, afraid that too much praise might lead to him developing a proud and arrogant disposition, which wouldn’t be good for his future growth.

It’s better to hold back the praise for now, plenty of time for that later.

A moment later, Wayne emerged from meditation; unable to maintain the state for long during his first attempt, his head was buzzing and needed to rest for a while.

Looking at Hefei with anticipation, he wanted to know how his talent measured up, whether it was good or exceptionally good?

“Not bad, pretty standard, just barely above average.

But don’t be discouraged.

Compared to geniuses, you’re a bit lacking, but you’re way better than the dummies,” said Hefei with a serious face.

“For instance, a genius of my caliber caught thousands on my first meditation…

never mind, I won’t belittle you here.”

You’ve already belittled me!

Wayne sighed, Apparently, it was as he expected.

The total number of his Four Elements Radiant Spots wasn’t even thirty, quite unimpressive compared to Hefei’s thousands.

It was all the elements’ fault for not cooperating!

“Teacher, magic is really so difficult…”

Hefei: (눈‸눈)

Hmm, you little rascal, you’re asking for a beating too.