After he carefully jotted down the formula in his notebook, Ethan's mother glanced over his shoulder, her brow furrowing in confusion at the myriad of symbols sprawled across the page. The intricate circles he had sketched seemed to her to be the only recognizable aspect. Ethan rose from his seat on the ground, his gaze shifting to his father.

With a surge of excitement, Ethan made his way toward his father. His eyes lit up with enthusiasm, a spark of discovery igniting within him.

"Dad," he started, his voice tinged with anticipation, "I think I've found a way to enhance the power of a spell using less mana".

"Eh, what are you talking about?" Aldric's confusion was evident in his words, with skepticism lacing his tone.

He let out a derisive snort, dismissing the notion, as he was well aware that these spells had been handed down through countless generations and were seemingly unalterable.

Yet his eleven-year-old insistence intrigued him, and he figured he could indulge the child's curiosity without getting too worked up about it. With a nod, he mused, "Alright then, tell me, how exactly do you propose making it better?"

Ethan's thoughts unfolded with an air of anticipation. "Dad, these three magic circles—C1, C2, and C3—form the very foundation of the spell you cast," he began, directing his father's attention to the intricate symbols. His hand came to rest on the first circle, C1, his voice resonating with purpose. "Right here, we have the cornerstone. It's universal, a conduit through which mana flows from your nexus through your hand, creating this foundational connection."

Aldric nodded in comprehension, absorbing the essence of Ethan's explanation.

Shifting the focus to the second circle, Ethan's voice grew eager, "The one adorned with the hexagram shape, formed by these two triangles connected at their bases. Its clockwise motion is the key. Imagine this: speeding it up mirrors the act of igniting flames, much like rubbing sticks to start a fire. This friction, this rubbing, is what we bring forth. By guiding the circle's rotation in this way, we beckon friction into magic. Greater friction equals heightened power—flames burn fiercer and brighter."

Aldric raised a valid concern. "Yet, wouldn't that consume excessive mana? The faster motion requires more mana, doesn't it?"

Ethan acknowledged his father's query with a nod, his response firm. "Absolutely, you're right. Which is precisely why we'll control this in the next driver circle, C3."

Ethan's gaze directed his father's attention to the third circle, his voice poised. "The third circle centers on stabilizing the fireball. As you infuse more mana, the fireball swells, but at the cost of rapidly draining your energy. I wondered—what if we could manage the circle's spin? With controlled restraint, we retain fireball potency while conserving mana." His hands sketched the circles, their intricacies coming to life under his touch.

So when the third circle harmonizes with the first circle by controlling the mana to take, we can improve the overall firepower in the second circle.

Aldric's comprehension deepened. "So, a measured slowdown of the spin conserves mana without weakening the spell?"

Ethan confirmed it, his resolve was unwavering. "Precisely. It mirrors managing the tension of a bowstring: too loose, the arrow falters; too tight, the bow snaps. This approach strikes the balance."

Curiosity remained. "If it's as simple as you've explained, why haven't others attempted it? Even I might have overlooked such simplicity."

Ethan elucidated, his voice steady. "While it sounds simple, precision is vital. Incorrect speed or mana allocation could lead to over-draining your resources. I'm referring to harnessing less mana while achieving a heightened effect."

"I get what you're saying, but I'm unsure if it'll work." Aldric's voice held doubt, his trust in unmodifiable, passed-down spells clashing with Ethan's proposal.

"Dad, please try once, at least for me," Ethan implored, his eyes large and pleading as they fixed on his father. Aldric could sense the weight of expectation from Elara's silence behind them, her gaze fixed intently on him. The message was clear: heed your son's request, or you have no place to stay in the house.

Aldric's laughter was uneasy, a response to the looming ultimatum. "Alright, I'll give it a shot." Rising from his veranda chair, he stepped outside, motioning for Ethan to join him.

"So tell me, what should I do?" Aldric's inquiry hung in the air.

Ethan didn't hesitate; his words were clear. "First, create the same fireball spell you showed me earlier."

As soon as Ethan spoke, Aldric began to chant the incantation, and a magic circle materialized. Now it was Ethan's turn. "Now, maintain your focus, but just observe."

He directed his father’s focus to the intricate interplay of circles and triangles within the spell, explaining his understanding in the same manner he had previously demonstrated on paper. Aldric, who had employed the spell countless times in the past, had never ventured into its visual representation. He had merely wielded its effects without comprehending its underlying structure.

Aldric's impressed gaze met Ethan's, prompting his question, "Now that I have done this, what should I do next?"

Ethan responded, guiding his father through the steps with calculated precision. His explanation included the necessary adjustments in rotation speed based on the circle's current pace. He advised his dad to focus solely on the second circle, urging him to increase its speed according to the calculated measures.

After several attempts, Aldric succeeded in increasing the speed of the second circle. As the increased speed produced heightened friction, the flames' intensity surged. The manifestation was that of pure fire, intensified and limitless, albeit consuming a significant portion of his mana.

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"Let go of that spell now," Ethan suggested, knowing that the initial step was merely about explaining his theory. He had charted out how his idea would take shape, beginning with the first circle and advancing to the third.

"Now, as I've mentioned before, efficiency is key," Ethan instructed, offering a mana-saving alternative. The earlier attempt, where his father had increased the speed, ended up using too much mana.

Ethan made it simpler: "Dad, first, focus on the foundation, and look at the third circle—you'll see lines like threads in triangles; that's the mana path. Begin from the first circle; guide the mana into the third just like I showed you earlier."

Ethan recalled how he had deduced the formula and efficient mana output to consume based on his calculations. "Once that's set, let the mana flow into the second circle's circuit. Speed it up like before. Then, just watch and see what happens."

Aldric followed suit, his actions reflecting the guidance he had received. Then, as the moment settled, Ethan took charge once more. "Now cast the spell as per instruction."

Aldric followed the steps precisely, chanting the incantation to set the spell in motion. He focused his intent, the energies converging as he brought forth the magic.

"Now, target the fireball towards that spot," Ethan directed, using his fingers to indicate a location nearby with a dried wooden branch.

As Ethan's envisioned scenario unfolded, reality mirrored his calculations. This time, Aldric sensed the mana's demand was gentler, consuming less of his inner reservoir. Yet his eyes widened as the fireball he conjured manifested with an unprecedented radiance. It wasn't just a spell; it was a blazing testament to Ethan's theories. The fiery orb he had crafted exuded a searing heat, sending ripples through the air and casting its glow on everything it touched. The palpable warmth it emitted was only matched by the intense illumination.

As Aldric gazed at his creation, a mixture of astonishment and pride surged within him, his heart pounding against his chest. Positioned on the veranda at a safe distance, the warmth of the searing heat reached Ethan and his mother, the intense glow casting dancing shadows across their faces. The anticipation hung in the air, charged with an almost tangible energy.

"Fireball!" Aldric's command shattered the stillness, the words reverberating through the silent night, each syllable carrying the weight of the spell's impending release.

Boom

A thunderous "boom" reverberated, the walls seeming to tremble under the force of the spell's release, and the wooden branch turned to ash from its intensity. The impact was as impressive as the sight, proving that not only had the firepower increased exponentially, but Aldric had also managed to master the art of conserving mana.

As everything unfolded, Elara stood there with wide eyes, clearly amazed by what she was witnessing. The sheer power of the spectacle left her so awestruck that she instinctively clasped her hand tightly, her gasp of amazement barely escaping through her fingers.

In the midst of the nighttime surroundings, the time had slipped into the late hours, around 2 or 3 a.m., casting a cloak of darkness over the village. Despite the late hour, the sudden burst of the spell startled the villagers from their sleep, its loud echo slicing through the quiet of the night.

This unexpected awakening stirred an underlying sense of fear—thoughts of a potential monster attack lingered in their minds. Driven by this primal unease, the villagers quickly gathered together, a mixture of concern and curiosity propelling them.

A sense of quiet anticipation hung in the air as the villagers drew closer to the origin of the disturbance. The embers from the spell's fiery aftermath painted the sky with a soft glow, leaving behind a ghostly trail. Bathed in this eerie light, the villagers followed the path.

As the villagers gathered, their voices blended into a murmur of uncertainty. "What just happened? What caused that noise?" they whispered, their amazement mingling with a touch of fear.

Amidst the gathering crowd, Ethan observed his father, who stood there unmoving, seemingly lost in contemplation. His eyes were fixed as if he were undergoing a moment of deep insight. Despite the sudden commotion, Aldric remained steady, his heartbeat only slightly quicker than usual. Ethan felt the urge to approach his father to see if he was alright, but his mother's sudden intervention stopped him in his tracks.

"Please, let's keep quiet." Elara hushed the onlookers, her words urging silence. The villagers glanced at Aldric in the center, understanding the unspoken assignment. As night embraced the scene, the only sound that persisted was the gentle chirping of crickets.

Ethan couldn't quite fathom what was happening. As time passed—nearly ten minutes in—his father continued to stand there, unmoving.

"What's happening, Mom?" Ethan whispered softly to his mother, his voice filled with curiosity as he attempted to understand the unfolding situation. His mother responded with a hushed and gentle whisper, explaining that his father was experiencing an awakening and gaining insights after casting the spell.

In that instant, a light bulb switched on in Ethan's mind as he realized, 'It's like the Enlightenment from Xianxia stories.'

After a while, Aldric's sudden gasp of breath marked his return to the present moment. The collective voices of those around him erupted in joyful cries of "Congratulations!"

His friend Gareth joined in, offering his congratulations with a firm handshake and acknowledging Aldric's newfound strength.

Amid the cheers, Aldric's smile widened. He approached Ethan, engulfing him in a tight embrace, his excitement bubbling over. "I did it!" he exclaimed with a triumphant gleam in his eyes. "I've reached the Adept level of mage."

"Congratulations, Dad," Ethan's voice carried a triumphant smile as his theory found its validation.

Elara looked at Ethan, her voice carrying a note of pride and explanation. Her words held a hint of warmth, a mother's pride for her son's achievement. The crowd's buzz intensified, voices mixing into a chorus of amazement. The atmosphere crackled with energy, a sense of unity and awe filling the air. She shared how Ethan's unique way of presenting the spell had provided Aldric with a sudden realization, propelling him to break through to the next level—the coveted Adept level.

As the crowd swelled like a tide in response to the commotion Aldric had caused, he quickly extended his apologies. Among the onlookers, expressions of wonder and admiration spread like wildfire. Whispers of Aldric's magical prowess rippled through the gathering, carrying excitement and curiosity. Sharing his recent accomplishment, he revealed a significant breakthrough in his magical prowess. His voice carried a mix of excitement and humility, his eyes shining with the joy of his achievement. However, his concern for everyone's safety took precedence, leading him to shift the conversation toward a more urgent topic.

Drawing attention to the heightened activities of orcs and goblins in the vicinity, Aldric signaled a potential threat. He cautioned that a goblin raid might loom on the horizon, set to strike the village the next day. The primary motive behind the attack appeared to be the capture of livestock. In response to this impending danger, he proposed a strategy for safeguarding.

Aldric's proposal was simple and pragmatic: a village-wide stay-in-order for the following day. He especially emphasized the importance of children remaining in their homes. Those possessing magical abilities were encouraged to assemble at the village gate. Their task would involve employing their spells to discourage the advance of the goblins and orcs. Simultaneously, the warriors would confront the danger head-on at the forefront.

Ethan contributed an insightful addition to the discussion. He disclosed his intention to coach the fire mages the next morning on an enhanced version of their fire spells. However, given the lateness of the hour, he acknowledged that the guidance would have to wait until then. He clarified his current focus on perfecting the fire spell, acknowledging that the exploration of other spells would necessitate more time.

Furthermore, Ethan's mind was busy brewing ideas about what he could do next—something resourceful rather than wasteful.