Chapter 56

The next day, studies had to be suspended for a day. On one hand, it was because the elf mentor, Celine, had expended too much energy and suffered from a headache, needing rest. On the other hand, it was because Zhao Mai was vomiting and had diarrhea, constantly going in and out of the toilet, making it impossible for him to attend class.

This was related to him eating the mushrooms, but fortunately, he wasn't poisoned. The food purification spell successfully removed the toxins from the mushrooms, but this didn't mean that a person could digest and absorb raw mushrooms. Additionally, he had been practicing spells non-stop, which left him in a very fatigued mental state, so it was reasonable for him to fall ill.

Gaining the ability to cast spells was a huge change for Zhao Mai—though his current spellcasting ability was weak, it was still a significant transformation from nothing to something. Zhao Mai repeatedly lit up his fingers (Light Spell) with a silly smile on his face.

Druids have fourteen prayers, and Zhao Mai had already memorized the casting movements and words for them. Casting these spells was not difficult for him. The only limitation was whether the natural elemental force could keep up with the caster's actions. This was not a mental ability or a bloodline power, which relies entirely on the individual and does not require prior preparation. Druid spells require the invocation of external forces, similar to how mages manipulate elements and priests communicate with divine power. It's best to "give a heads-up" in advance to save time. The stronger a druid's ability to communicate with nature, the more of these spell slots, or spell positions, they can retain.

While teaching spells, Teacher Celine also taught how to prepare spells. By communicating with the natural elemental force, the caster can form spell seals, which they can carry with them, greatly accelerating the spellcasting speed. These seals are influenced by the movements of the sun and moon and can last for about a day.

As for why this is the case, there is no consensus among druids. Teacher Celine's general stance is "set aside disputes and develop together," and the Unseen Walker community is also working hard to avoid divisions among druid communities due to differing philosophies.

Druid abilities vary in strength, and the most direct and widely recognized method of classification is based on spellcasting ability. Since mages and priests also have similar classification methods, this system has quickly spread across the world, and even warriors and knights have begun to adopt it for their own ability classifications.

Zhao Mai, Lucius, Aphra, and Ziyue are still druid apprentices, but when they can master first-level spells and form more than one first-level spell slot, they will become first-level druids.

This morning, Zhao Mai began trying to prepare prayers into spell slots. His current ability could only ensure three first-level spell slots. After much consideration, he decided on: Create Water, Detect Magic, and Light Spell. Druid prayers do not include offensive spells, and defensive spells are too weak, so it was best to choose supportive spells with broad applications.

The other prayers were not unusable. As long as he calmed down, remained still, and communicated with the natural elemental force, he could cast them after about a minute of ritual preparation. However, in combat or emergencies, this method of casting was clearly meaningless and was only useful during rest periods.

The main energy source for spell slots is the surrounding natural elemental force, while the one-minute ritual casting primarily consumes the caster's own elemental force. Human energy is limited, and replenishing it is quite slow, so this method of casting cannot be used frequently.

"Because of you, we can't have class today," Lucius said, looking at Zhao Mai and waving his hand in front of his nose as if there were a bad smell. "I really wanted to learn first-level spells, but you've held me back."

"Sorry," Zhao Mai said, not wanting to deal with him and prepared to walk around with his rations. It was said that a caravan from Nibo Town had arrived outside the outpost, bringing gifts from the townspeople to the druids. Zhao Mai wanted to see what they had brought and learn more about the nearby towns.

Unexpectedly, a leopard leaped in front of the rations, baring its teeth. The rations were startled and quickly hid behind Zhao Mai's legs, peeking out at the big cat. The opponent was more than twice its size, and without receiving any orders, it naturally wouldn't foolishly charge forward.

"Come back!" Seeing Zhao Mai's animal companion retreat, Lucius achieved his goal and called the big cat back. He smiled and said, "Sorry, cats and dogs always fight."

"My cat doesn't," Zhao Mai shrugged indifferently and moved to the side with the rations. As he walked, he spoke to the dog in Chinese, "Is that cat crazy or what?"

The rations stuck out its tongue and nodded as if it understood. "Next time if it provokes you, give it a taste of your own, and I'll back you up," Zhao Mai adjusted the strap of his "Mammoth M1 Saber-toothed Elephant" and confidently told the rations.

The druid community is a completely self-sufficient place where the residents live by foraging and occasionally hunting. Whether hunting or foraging, they follow the same standard: meeting the basic needs for survival is enough. Zhao Mai had seen druids process game, and they wasted nothing, even turning inedible parts into fertilizer with spells and spreading it during patrols. Druids never stockpile food, overeat for pleasure, or hunt or cut down trees for commercial purposes. Zhao Mai respected their philosophy but decided to only avoid hunting for commercial purposes and not waste food, and he wouldn't limit himself to eating only until he was six-tenths full.

He still had some gold coins in his pocket, compensation from the Nibo Town constable for his lost goods. He didn't know what the merchants would bring, but perhaps there would be something useful.

Two mule carts were parked outside the village, the mules' heads lowered, their legs trembling, and they were constantly whining. They would never enter the village because wolves, leopards, tigers, and bears were walking around everywhere, and over a dozen large pythons were watching them from above. These animals were the druids' combat companions, and they didn't fight each other or bully the two mules outside. However, their presence was still clear, and for prey animals, it felt like the end of the world.

A shrewd-looking merchant jumped off the cart, familiarly lowering the cart latch and securing the wheels. The mules could only tremble in place, unable to run away with the cart. Since he often came to the druid community, Malo was well-prepared for this situation. The same mule could only make two trips at most; on the third trip, it would refuse to move halfway. He had to frequently change the animals pulling the cart, essentially tricking new mules into working.

The carts were loaded with goods from Nibo Town, including weapons, armor, animal feed, dried meat, and some letters. Druids needed weapons and armor to arm and protect the forest, though they could make these themselves, but they were not as skilled as specialized weapon and armor craftsmen.

The animal feed and dried meat were all for the animal companions; the druids themselves did not eat them. They embraced a simple lifestyle but never neglected their animal companions, and there was no food rationing. So the rations could have a big bone to chew on, but Zhao Mai didn't have that luxury.

However, the most important thing for the druids was the letters. The Unseen Walker community had good relations with the surrounding towns, and many druids came from these towns, originally farmers or craftsmen. After becoming druids, they still maintained communication with their relatives, especially their elderly parents. Even animals know to take care of their elderly parents, let alone druids. They read the letters and sometimes made things, entrusting the merchants to deliver them to their kin, conveying their thoughts.

Sure enough, the merchant Malo first picked up a stack of letters and began calling out names to distribute them.