Robert glanced at the clock. Five hours until his eldest returned. Plenty of time to delve into some spells. e cracked open the grimoire and began flipping through the pages. "Any suggestions on where to start?"

Focus on healing first, you know how to wield a blade for offense, but defense is equally important. Wounds will hinder your progress

"Makes sense," obert agreed, turning to the Sphere of Healing. "Valicar's Light Touch of Healing? Who came up with that name?"

Valicar Tra'Narmaila, a pioneer in the field of healing magic. Many early spells bear his name.

"So if I create a new spell, it'll be called 'Robert's Spell of Whatever?"

Only if you choose, as the creator, you decide the name that will be recorded in the system. But remember, the system is ancient, and chances are, someone else has already explored similar concepts.

Robert began to read the spell, but when he finished, he couldn't fully recall its details. "What gives? I have a better memory than this," he muttered.

You probably do, but you're learning a system concept, a Spell. It's your first time, and it'll take a bit to grasp fully. As you learn more and more spells, it'll become easier. Also, your Tier plays a role. Being Tier 4 in the Sphere of Healing, learning a Tier 1 spell won't take long, but it will still require time.

Robert studied the spell multiple times. After about 20 minutes, his efforts paid off.

Valicar's Light Touch of Healing learned!

"Okay, so I can stop now, right?"

Yes, the spell is now yours. You can find it in your System Spell Sheet.

Robert opened the sheet.

Spell Name Sphere(s) Tier Casting Time Base Mana Cost True Mana Cost Description Valicar's Light Touch of Healing Healing 1 3 seconds (Base time of 6 - tier difference) 5 3 Touch base spell that will heal the target by 5 HP + (Int/10)

"So, if I understand correctly, I should heal for 5 points plus 1.6. Does the system round?" Robert asked.

Yes, it does round down. So your bonus would be +1. One thing to note is the True Mana Cost. This is based on your skill tier and any feats, titles, or traits you have. In your case, being 3 tiers higher reduces the cost by 2 points.

"That will be a big help. So I'll see that in all the spells I learn?" Robert asked.

Correct. I suggest focusing on healing spells, for now, perhaps something for poison or diseases.

Robert shuddered. "Sounds like a plan."

After around 2 hours later Robert stopped. "I think we can move off healing for a while"

I would agree. You have made great progress there.

Robert opened his spell sheet.

Spell Name Sphere(s) Tier Casting Time Base Mana Cost True Mana Cost Description Valicar's Light Touch of Healing Healing 1 3 seconds (Base time of 6 - tier difference) 5 3 Touch base spell that will heal the target by 5 HP + (Int/10) Valicar's Bodily Touch of Minor Restoration Healing 1 5 Seconds (Base time of 8 - tier difference) 6 4 With a touch, you dispel a disease or a debilitating condition—blindness, deafness, or paralysis—from a creature. Valicar's Lesser Touch of Purification Healing 1 4 Seconds (Base time of 7 - tier difference) 5 3 With a gentle touch, you neutralize lesser poisons.

"Okay I think that covers the basics" Robert stated with a thoughtful look. "Where should I look for defensive spells?"

Most schools have spells designed to defend. Perhaps start with the Sphere of Air.

Turning to the section on air magic, Robert delved into the massive tome. 'Minor Shield of Air,' he murmured, intrigued. 'A basic but effective spell—a good place to start.'"

Robert spent the next twenty minutes studying the spell, until the system confirmed his mastery. "One more," he said, his eyes lighting up. "Minor Blurred Screen of Wind."

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

After another focused study session, he had mastered the second spell.

Spell Name Sphere(s) Tier Casting Time Base Mana Cost True Mana Cost Description Valicar's Light Touch of Healing Healing 1 3 seconds (Base time of 6 - tier difference) 5 3 Touch base spell that will heal the target by 5 HP + (Int/10) Valicar's Bodily Touch of Minor Restoration Healing 1 5 Seconds (Base time of 8 - tier difference) 6 4 With a touch, you dispel a disease or a debilitating condition—blindness, deafness, or paralysis—from a creature. Valicar's Lesser Touch of Purification Healing 1 4 Seconds (Base time of 7 - tier difference) 5 3 With a gentle touch, you neutralize lesser poisons. Minor Shield of Air Air 1 2 Seconds (Base time of 5 - tier difference) 5 3 Creates a thin, magical barrier around the caster that absorbs up to 25 points of damage from any source. Minor Blurred Screen of Wind Air 1 3 Seconds (Base time of 6 - tier difference) 5 3 Creates a sheet of translucent air in front of the caster, obscuring their image and making ranged attacks more difficult.

"Alright, a few attack spells and we'll call it a day on magic for now," Robert declared.

Before you rush into fire spells, consider other options. While everyone dreams of hurling fireballs, you have access to more than just the Sphere of Fire.

"Any suggestions?" Robert asked.

Let's start with the basics. Learn 'Lesser Bullet of Water,' 'Lesser Bullet of Earth,' and, because I know you can't resist, the fire version as well. Just remember, Fireball is a Tier 3 spell.

With a grin, Robert spent over an hour mastering the three new spells.

Spell Name Sphere(s) Tier Casting Time Base Mana Cost True Mana Cost Description Valicar's Light Touch of Healing Healing 1 3 seconds (Base time of 6 - tier difference) 5 3 Touch base spell that will heal the target by 5 HP + (Int/10) Valicar's Bodily Touch of Minor Restoration Healing 1 5 Seconds (Base time of 8 - tier difference) 6 4 With a touch, you dispel a disease or a debilitating condition—blindness, deafness, or paralysis—from a creature. Valicar's Lesser Touch of Purification Healing 1 4 Seconds (Base time of 7 - tier difference) 5 3 With a gentle touch, you neutralize lesser poisons. Minor Shield of Air Air 1 2 Seconds (Base time of 5 - tier difference) 5 3 Creates a thin, magical barrier around the caster that absorbs up to 25 points of damage from any source. Minor Blurred Screen of Wind Air 1 3 Seconds (Base time of 6 - tier difference) 5 3 Creates a sheet of translucent air in front of the caster, obscuring their image and making ranged attacks more difficult. Lesser Bullet of Water Water 1 1 Seconds(Base time of 4 - tier difference) 4 2 Creates a small, spherical projectile of water that travels up to 20 feet and deals 10 points of elemental water damage on impact. Lesser Bullet of Earth Earth 1 1 Seconds(Base time of 4 - tier difference) 4 2 Creates a small, spherical projectile of dirt that travels up to 20 feet and deals 10 points of elemental earth damage on impact. Lesser Bullet of Fire Fire 1 1 Seconds(Base time of 4 - tier difference) 4 2 Creates a small, spherical projectile of fire that travels up to 20 feet and deals 10 points of elemental fire damage on impact.

"I think we've studied enough magic for now. After the dungeon run, I'll have a better idea of what spells I'll need to focus on," Robert said, glancing at his spell sheet.