"Because you cannot form an elemental vortex, no matter how strong your physical strength or mental power is,

if you cannot construct a truly functional magic circle, you'll have almost no means of attack, only the prospect of being beaten," Karien explained, continuing his instruction to Mia while holding a notebook in the indoor training field at Red Leaf Academy.

"Even though Elder Ellison has lent you the Qinglan Sword, and you can use the magic circle inscribed on it, each time you use it, you will need to spend a long time absorbing the magical elements. During that process, your opponent could strike you multiple times."

Mia, with her blonde hair tied in a ponytail, lowered her head and responded, "I understand that. I've been trying to meditate and sense other elements, and I've worked hard to form a vortex, but there's been no effect."

Karien smiled and said, "Don't be discouraged, Mia. This isn't your fault. The elemental concentration at Red Leaf Academy is too low. Today's special training is to help you solve this problem."

As he spoke, Karien took a round object from his pocket and placed it in her palm.

Mia looked down, confused, and asked, "What is this?"

She had never seen this item before, nor had she ever heard of it.

Not to mention someone like Mia, even some actual magic masters might not recognize an Elemental Coin.

After all, an Elemental Coin was worth hundreds of gold coins, and usually only mid-level or high-level magic masters would need to use them.

The primary function of an Elemental Coin wasn’t just as currency—it contained magical elements. By using mental energy to unlock a special switch on the coin, a continuous and pure flow of magical elements would be released, with a concentration over a hundred times higher than normal environments, directly absorbable by magic masters.

Normally, Elemental Coins were used by high-level magic masters to replenish the magic elements they've consumed. For Karien to give one to a magic apprentice was an extravagance! Aside from wealthy merchants or large, influential families, ordinary people wouldn't dare to consume something like this.

Karien did not explain but instead said, "This is an ordinary magical tool. It can raise the surrounding concentration of dark elements, making it easier for you to sense them."

He only mentioned the concentration would rise but didn't reveal that it would increase by over a hundred times. His words were casual, as if discussing something as trivial as a cabbage.

Karien then explained how to use the Dark Elemental Coin to Mia. She sat down on the spot, holding the coin in her hand and using her mental power to activate it.

In an instant, a dense flow of dark elements surged out. Even without meditating, Mia could feel the dark elements rush toward her.

"Grip it tightly, and begin meditating. Try to open a path specifically for the dark elements," Karien instructed from the side. "Remember the rule of dark magic: in darkness, remain true to your heart."

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

"Got it!"

Mia closed her eyes, calmed her mind, and used her deep mental power to draw the dark elements toward her left palm.

This process required a quiet environment, so Karien didn't say anything more but sat down a bit farther away from her. Even though they were several meters apart, Karien could clearly sense the rising concentration of dark elements around him.

After hesitating for a moment, Karien extended his left hand, trying to use his mental power to absorb the dark elements into his body.

But no matter how hard he tried, the dark elements resisted his control and wildly collided against his palm. It wasn’t until a sharp pain shot through his hand that Karien reluctantly stopped.

Even in such an element-rich environment, he was still unable to practice magic.

This was because his affinity for elements was too low—so low that it could be said he had no affinity at all. That was why others often called him a teacher even worse than his students.

"Talentless in magic" was a label that applied to someone like Karien.

From a young age, the original Karien had known that he had no magical talent. But growing up at the Palos Magic School's Red Leaf Academy, surrounded by magic, had instilled in him an unusual passion for it. Even without talent, he never gave up on learning magic.

Over time, Karien developed an exceptional understanding of basic magical theory.

While others laughed at him, the old dean, Fiennes, encouraged him to follow his passion. Even if Karien could never become a magic master, the old dean always patiently guided him.

What changed his fate was when he was fifteen. Despite everyone's ridicule, Karien decided to take the magic master examination. The result was clear—he failed.

But the exam wasn't only about combat; there were theoretical questions as well. That year, the theoretical portion was one of the most difficult in decades, and Karien scored a perfect score.

His paper happened to be seen by a professor from the Gallon Research Institute in the royal capital, who recruited him as a research assistant. That year became Karien's lucky break.

Once he entered the Gallon Research Institute, where they had a large aggregation magic array, the magical elements in the building were dozens of times denser than outside. Karien thought that maybe he could finally practice magic.

Unfortunately, his efforts still proved futile. He tried countless times, but it was all in vain. Even the professor who had taken an interest in him tried offering Karien an Elemental Coin, but the result was the same.

Although he was unwilling to accept it, Karien knew that the path of becoming a magic master was not for him.

However, after joining the Gallon Research Institute, he assisted the professor with numerous theoretical calculations and helped complete several important papers, so at least he didn't waste the valuable opportunity given to him by the professor.

Later, the professor suffered an accident, and all theoretical research was halted.

As a result, the research institute decided to shift focus to high-level magical experiments, which required assistants who were at least mid-level magic masters.

Since Karien wasn't even a magic apprentice, he could no longer serve as a research assistant. He left the capital and returned to Palos Magic School, where he stayed at Red Leaf Academy as a junior teacher, assisting the old dean in guiding students.

"What a pity..." Karien sighed softly.

If he could, he would have loved to reach the pinnacle of this magical world, to make a name for himself.

However, this was a world that relied on talent. Without magical talent, no amount of effort would help.

For a moment, Karien thought about a lot of things, his heart filled with a sense of unwillingness.

After all, he was a transmigrator and possessed the special ability to teleport. How could he be content with mediocrity?

"With top-tier software, it's a shame the hardware can't keep up..." He sighed again.

But as soon as he muttered this, something suddenly clicked in his mind, and his expression froze.

After a long pause, his face brightened with excitement, and he murmured to himself:

"That hardware... doesn’t have to be my own body. I could use external objects!

"Maybe I could try combining magic and technology, creating magical weapons that even ordinary people can use!"