Introduction to the Fundamentals of Fire Element Magic

With an abundance of magic stones on hand and still no news regarding the high-powered microscopes, coupled with Nidhogg’s indecision about a companion parasite, he found himself reluctantly turning his attention to the study of elemental magic to avoid wasting precious time.

In the realm of wizards, every mage, regardless of their primary focus, inevitably conducts research on elemental basics. This necessity arises from the simple fact that during an apprentice’s training, the initial process of solidifying an elemental magic array within the soul using mental power can significantly boost one’s mental strength, an enticing prospect for any mage apprentice.

After diligently reading "Introduction to the Fundamentals of Fire Element Magic" twice, Nidhogg gently set the book aside, deep in thought.

“This so-called elemental magic array might be the most fundamental lever-like power a wizard can control. Simplified to this degree, it resembles an art form.”

Elemental magic arrays consist of two foundational elements: runes and the magic array itself. Regarding runes, traditional wizard textbooks document a total of twenty-six characters. By combining these characters in various ways, one can use magic to communicate with the elemental forces of the endless world. However, this primitive method of communication disproportionately consumes magic compared to the elemental energy it harnesses.

In addition to the standard twenty-six characters, both nature and certain wizard labs contain unique runes. These runes facilitate connections to rare natural energy attributes or even new energy forms created by wizards, such as the Dead Soul Flame once used by the wizard Dilara aboard the sea wheel.

Regarding magic arrays, they are composed of numerous runes that form a pattern or structure comprehensible and visualizable by wizards. This pattern is then permanently solidified on the soul using mental power. Although a magic array can evolve into countless forms based on individual understanding, its core—a six-pointed star within a large circle—remains unchanged. This is the result of ancient wizards' collective wisdom, conceived as the ultimate and most fundamental knowledge leverage to manipulate the rules of the world.

Future wizards seeking to enhance magic arrays must build upon this core pattern, modifying the structure of elemental magic accordingly. For example, during Nidhogg’s first basic witchcraft education session, the third experiment conducted by the "beautiful" witch transformed a basic fireball into the shape of a firebird.

Rubbing his brow, Nidhogg picked up a blank sheet of paper and a quill. To permanently solidify an elemental magic array into the soul, the first step is mastering the skilled drawing of all characters with mental power—a meticulous task that varies with each person’s elemental affinity, yet typically even the least attuned wizard could complete this within a year. However, Nidhogg didn’t consider himself to be lacking in intelligence.

While tracing the twenty-six characters with his quill, Nidhogg's mental power repeatedly practiced these characters, growing increasingly proficient. Three days later, he was astonished by his progress. “Am I an elemental magic prodigy? In just three days, I’ve mastered the writing process of all characters with my mental power!”

Ten days later, following a bout of inexplicable pain, Nidhogg appeared somewhat weary yet thrilled. “In under two weeks, I’ve permanently solidified the fire elemental magic array in my soul. I truly have a knack for elemental magic!”

Taking a deep breath, Nidhogg murmured an incantation, causing a crystal ball to float silently before him as he began assessing his condition.

“Mental Power: 18, Magic: 126~137. As expected, my mental power has increased by five points!” With enhanced mental power, magic naturally increases over time with meditation.

Feeling a rush of excitement, Nidhogg recited another spell towards the crystal ball. As it flashed brightly before returning to a dim state, he decided to test the strength of his full-strength fireball spell.

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

The magic-to-standard magic energy unit ratio suggests that ten points of magic equate to one unit of standard energy. Therefore, even if Nidhogg utilized all his magic, it would only amount to twelve or thirteen units. However, in typical combat situations, a wizard can instantaneously unleash no more than a quarter of their magic. Greater magic release requires extensive chanting preparation. Furthermore, this maximum magic burst decreases proportionally as the wizard’s magic stores increase.

Channeling his magic into the soul's elemental magic array, Nidhogg felt a familiar warmth as a fist-sized fireball appeared at his fingertips.

Uh…

Indeed, it was much smaller than what the witch had initially produced…

Nidhogg flicked his finger, and the fireball shot towards the crystal ball. As the flames rippled, he summoned the crystal back into his hand.

“Twenty-one units? I expended nearly forty magic points for a twenty-one-unit fireball, achieving a fivefold increase in energy intensity. Not bad!”

A brief explanation of energy unit foundational damage: a newborn can be fatally affected by a single unit of standard energy, while three units are lethal to adults. Trained knights, due to their resilience, require five to ten standard units. Even legendary knights cannot escape severe injury from a twenty-one-unit attack unless they manage to avoid it.

Most legendary knights ally with powerful wizards, enhancing their bodies to achieve greater levels of strength and resilience.

Nidhogg was deeply satisfied. From this moment, he wielded power beyond that of ordinary civilians. Even the simplest offensive spell enabled a wizard apprentice to kill a legendary knight, underpinning the dominance of wizards in this world. Thus, in one year’s trials, Nidhogg’s chances of survival had notably increased.

Despite the recent solidification of the elemental magic array in his soul, the surge in mental power left him exhausted, leading Nidhogg into a natural slumber.

Who knows how much time had passed when the soft chime awakened his soul. The crystal ball's mental link revealed an apprentice wizard named Varro on Black Tower’s seventh floor calling: “Hey, Nidhogg, come over. My teacher just left. Bring some rodent fish with you!”

Nidhogg shot up from his bed, sleep evaporating. Finally, access to the advanced microscope?

Eagerly, Nidhogg gathered several containers holding dissected mouse limbs. After some thought, he also picked up the frog infested by parasitic wasp snails. This frog, previously amputated of a hind leg and preserved, grotesquely sprouted three extra legs due to the parasitism over time, resembling a bizarre, malformed creature.

This was not evolution; true evolution strengthens a species, elevating it within biological and food chain hierarchies. However, the frog’s newly “deformed” legs were akin to tumors, useless and only a burden. The reason lies in the wasp snails' intent to return to the crane’s body to reproduce, requiring the frog’s “cooperation” to enable easy consumption.

Without delay, Nidhogg took the deformed frog and its preserved hind leg, leaving his room.

On the first floor of Black Tower, he bought some rodent fish. Although unsure of Varro’s intentions with these finger-sized fish, they were either a snack or experimental material and were inexpensive.

Upon reaching Black Tower’s seventh floor, Varro greeted him with a grin: “You’re in luck; the teacher just went out to handle some affairs.”

Varro then led Nidhogg further up the Black Tower. Passing through two massive mechanical golems, Nidhogg, with Varro’s lead, proceeded without issue. This was Nidhogg’s first visit above the seventh floor, and he peered around curiously, only to find the spacious corridor devoid of people.

“Stop gawking. The eighth floor and above are reserved for official wizards. Don’t wander, or you might get thrown out by some ill-tempered wizard,” Varro warned.

“Oh,” Nidhogg nodded, following Varro upward.

After scaling over seventy floors, Nidhogg was drenched and breathless while Varro remained unfazed, instructing, “Once we enter, just follow me and don’t interfere.”

“Mm,” Nidhogg, nearly exhausted, had no energy for further words.

Varro shook his head, “Honestly, why not study bloodline magic? Your physical condition is poor.”

He then unlocked a door lined with magical barriers, and Nidhogg followed carefully, staying silent.

“Yo, Varro, is this kid your client?” Nidhogg turned to see a black cat lounging lazily on a sofa, gazing at Varro and him.

Varro chuckled, placing a small bag of rodent fish before the cat. “Yes, he is. As agreed, five magic stones each. And these are the rodent fish.”

Nidhogg inwardly noted that he had provided twenty magic stones.

The black cat lazily rose, stretched, wiped its face with a paw, and picked up the bag of rodent fish. It leaped onto a large fish tank.

The tank, three meters high and spanning seven or eight meters, contained fearsome, predatory fish swimming sluggishly. Their occasional displays of sharp teeth sent Nidhogg shivering.

The black cat nonchalantly dumped the entire bag into the tank, watching the fearsome fish devour the rodent fish gleefully, whispering, “Eat up, grow big….”

Observing this scene, Nidhogg felt an odd sense of discomfort.

Only after watching the monstrous fish consume every last rodent fish did the black cat turn to Varro, satisfied. “Alright, take the kid in. I won’t tell the old man. Just don’t touch anything other than the microscope, or the old man will find out.”

Varro nodded, grinning, “Don’t worry, unless he wants to get himself killed.”