Chapter 54

With the mental power boost from meditation and the help of the copying technique, Gret's progress suddenly sped up significantly. He only spent two days piecing together the dictionary, and then, unable to wait any longer, he took out the *Basics of Spells* to see what magic he could currently learn.

— The answer was, all 0-level spells.

The *Basics of Spells* clearly stated: As long as one's mental power reaches the apprentice level, new spellcasters can learn all 0-level spells.

It sounded generous. However, without even turning the page, Gret saw a note written in red ink at the edge of the line:

"0-level spells, also known as cantrips. Congratulations, from now on, you can be a street performer."

Gret: "…"

He took a deep breath, then another, and closed his eyes. Adjusting his emotions, he repeatedly chanted:

"There is no such thing as a useless spell, only a useless mage… There is no such thing as a useless spell, only a useless mage…"

He chanted until his emotions stabilized, then opened his eyes and continued reading.

According to the *Basics of Spells*, apprentice mages, depending on their mental power, can cast 1-5 0-level spells per day; beginners can only cast one, while high-level apprentices about to break through to full mage status can cast up to five, unless they use potions to replenish their energy.

Generally speaking, mastering more than three 0-level spells and being able to cast five spells per day is enough to aim for 1st-level mage status.

After this, the author of the *Basics of Spells* pointed out in a serious tone:

Given that mental power will significantly increase after breaking through, learning low-level spells becomes more efficient. Generally, mages with sufficient talent are not advised to learn too many cantrips during the apprenticeship stage.

… So, he could only choose three to learn at first?

Gret, who thought this, didn't feel he would be the type without talent…

After all, as a穿越者 (穿越者 means "one who has crossed over," often referring to someone from a different world or time), he was supposed to kill gods and buddhas, break through to the top-tier mage, and easily cast 9th-level spells while creating a bunch of new spells. This was the standard treatment.

Besides, didn't he become a cleric apprentice on the first day after understanding the healing spell?

Gret was full of confidence, flipping through the *Basics of Spells* page by page, carefully selecting. The book recorded only about eight or nine 0-level spells. However, as Gret read, he was a bit overwhelmed:

*Read Magic*, which can be used to decipher magical text on objects—books, scrolls, weapons, etc. This spell is clearly the first tool for learning magic, but the problem is that it requires a transparent crystal or prism as a casting material. Gret felt his pockets and had to put it aside for now;

*Prestidigitation*, to create a light source; *Light*, to make an object glow like a torch; *Spark*, to ignite a tiny flammable object; *Ray of Frost*, to shoot a cold ray that can cause damage—or be used to make an ice lolly?

These seemed to be practical little spells for daily life and travel…

*Mage Hand*, to move a lightweight object with telekinesis at close range;

*Arcane Mark* and *Prestidigitation*, the *Basics of Spells* specifically mentioned that these are common cantrips for apprentice mages, the basics of the basics. There was even a red ink note on the side: If you can't even learn these, give up, you're not cut out to be a mage!

Gret flipped through the pages. Suddenly, his hand trembled, and he froze, feeling a slight shiver as if struck by lightning.

0-level spell: *Detect Magic*.

Detects magical auras on objects or in specific areas.

The name and effect were ordinary. However, as he read line by line, Gret found a line at the end of the description that made his heart race:

This spell can penetrate obstacles. However, 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of ordinary metal, a thin sheet of lead, 3 feet of wood or earth can block the detection.

This is… This is…

Gret's heart pounded. The ability to penetrate and be blocked to different degrees by lead and other materials—seeing this, his knowledge, intuition, and every cell in his brain screamed:

X-ray!

X-ray!!

The godsend for medical examinations, X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI—the cheapest and earliest one, I'm here!

Gret, without hesitation, grabbed a piece of paper and prioritized "Detect Magic" for interpretation.

0-level spells are not hard to learn. Gret focused his mind, sensing the wondrous world he had touched during meditation. When his entire spirit entered a clear and empty state, the earth, water, fire, wind, and the vast sky and stars faintly rose. He made the casting gesture described in the *Basics of Spells* and recited the spell word by word.

As the spell words left his mouth, Gret felt his mental power ripple along with the sound waves. The mysterious power he had touched during meditation was also disturbed and began to change under the pull of his mental power.

Gret quickly focused all his attention, using his mental power to guide the meditation world, and began to draw the rune pattern as described in the book. One stroke, two strokes…

Damn!

It's crooked!!!

The rune in the meditation vision trembled and dissipated. His mental power also felt a bit fatigued, and Gret sighed.

Learning magic is indeed not easy. New apprentice mages can only cast one spell per day. That means, without spending money, there's only one chance to try each day… How many times does it take to successfully learn a new spell?

Three times?

Five times?

Ten times?

If it takes ten times, that's ten days gone… Mastering it will take more time, and with three spells, a month or two will pass in a flash.

No wonder the *Basics of Spells* doesn't recommend apprentice mages to learn too many spells.

Gret was a bit reluctant. He closed his eyes and calmed down, carefully sensing… Hmm? Can my mental power try a few more times?

If his intuition was correct, it was probably two to three more times…

So, does that mean I started as a high-level apprentice mage, or at least a mid-level one?

Is this a benefit of being a穿越者 (穿越者) or a cleric apprentice? Doesn't matter, as long as it works!

Gret excitedly clenched his fist and then calmed down, trying again. This time, he made significant progress, drawing the rune pattern up to the ninth stroke, just one step away from completion. He gritted his teeth and tried once more!

This time, a faint magical aura lit up in the meditation-enhanced vision.

Success!

Gret barely contained his excitement and walked towards the bookshelf emitting the magical aura. The aura was very dim, not much brighter than a household oil lamp, probably just a small spell for pest control or dehumidification. Gret calmed his mind, extended his right hand, and cupped it over the light…

Could he see the light through, or not?

Was the aura too dim?

Gret thought for a moment and ran out of the library. He rushed upstairs, and just as he stepped onto the landing, someone shouted at him:

"Hey, how did you get up here!"