The Star River Era! The Dimensional Freedom Demon

"After the Fifth Ring Road, there are two main roads ahead."

Cortes had a head of silver-white hair that was casually draped over his shoulders, and he did not exude any imposing aura. However, Ji Chen, who was standing beside him, was inexplicably enveloped by a calm aura, and his heart unconsciously calmed down.

"Firstly, it is to study spell formulas, using them to carry the laws, thereby constructing one's own unique innate spells. Secondly, it is to embark on the path of arcane magic, using knowledge as the core, constantly deducing and improving existing general spell models, and clarifying their essence in the process."

"There is no superiority or inferiority between the two. Spells are a kind of mage language. The process of constructing your own spell is like building with blocks. You find the spells you need and then build the model you want."

"And arcane magic is like polishing your own axioms. In the end, you can use your own axioms to explain everything; you are the law of all."

There may not seem to be a distinction between high and low, but there is.

Ji Chen has his own opinion.

This is similar to the difference between applied physics and theoretical physics.

Studying spells and constructing one's own innate spells is like applying physics.

Following existing theorems and rules, you can disassemble, combine, and implement them to create useful "tools". Techniques are ready-made formulas, and your innate spells are the exclusive tools you create according to the formulas.

The path of arcane magic is theoretical physics.

One method involves assembling spells using "building blocks," while the other involves drawing them directly and bringing them to life, without adhering to any particular style.

Moreover, the path of arcane magic ultimately possesses the final right of interpretation and has its own set of axioms.

If the Arcane Lord determines that your spell's "theory" is erroneous and inapplicable, wouldn't the spellcasting faction be in uproar?

but... ...

"However, as long as we can break free from the problem of rigid thinking that can result from being obsessed with one school of thought, the two paths are not actually in conflict," Cortez added.

That has no hair.

"Don't keep taking such big breaths. You scared me into thinking I could only choose one. Since I can master both, what's the big deal? Just come on, I can handle it."

Cortez's eyes twitched, and he almost lost his composure.

This brat really doesn't know how to write the word "humility".

"Alright," Cortez said, flipping his hand to reveal a leather book that looked quite old in his palm.

"Since you're so confident, why don't you try your luck with this 'Dictionary of New Techniques in the Norl Galaxy'? If you can understand a third of it in one semester..."

Jade must be carved to become a useful object, and the dean felt it necessary to curb Ji Chen's arrogance.

"Wait a minute," Ji Chen's eyes lit up, and he immediately seized the opportunity, "If I succeed, there should be some reward, right? I think that 'Somersault Cloud' airship model on your lab bench is pretty good."

Cortez almost laughed in exasperation.

Well, kid, I'm teaching you advanced knowledge for free, but you won't pay tuition and you're even eyeing my collection?

But when he saw Ji Chen's eager eyes, his competitive spirit also rose within him.

"good!"

Cortez waved his hand dismissively, "Master one-third of it in one semester, and that 'Somersault Cloud' is yours!"

"But what if you can't do it?"

He changed the subject, revealing a sly smile, "I don't want anything else from you. Just go to the newly opened 'Howling Canyon' outpost and be my supervisor for six months, overseeing the construction of the new city."

Ji Chen naturally had no reason to object.

They were just conscripted.

Cortez handed the book over.

The book is thin, and the cover is made of some kind of dark leather that feels warm to the touch.

Don't complain about its thinness.

Cortez said meaningfully, "There's enough stuff in there to keep you busy."

Ji Chen took it and casually turned to a page.

The palm-sized pages were covered with countless tiny silver runes, each one smaller than a mosquito's leg, layer upon layer, so dense that they gave one a dizzying feeling at first glance.

It's as if the knowledge within it carries its own weight.

What's even stranger is that although the book is only a thin stack of pages, no matter how you turn it, you can't reach the bottom.

"One thousand and one pages, containing 98,000 advanced techniques newly created and improved in the Nor system over the past century," Cortes said calmly.

The spells are endless, and new spells are created by arcanists every moment.

So despite the large number of spells in this dictionary, it's actually just a drop in the ocean of the Federation's spell library.

He glanced at Ji Chen's still calm profile and chuckled inwardly.

Kid, you're all cocky now, but you'll be in for a world of trouble later.

The technique is not simply supernatural knowledge.

To learn, one needs not only meticulous logical reasoning and strong calculation ability, but also insight and inspiration as wings; otherwise, one will not even be able to get started.

For ordinary mages, even learning a single spell is extremely difficult. They often have to work for several days without sleep to fully understand it.

Not to mention that what he gave to Ji Chen was a new technique that had undergone several updates and was of higher quality.

Even if Ji Chen is exceptionally perceptive and wise, he'll still suffer a major setback this time.

But as it turns out, Ji Chen's learning ability far exceeded his expectations.

A month later, with messy hair and a head full of confusion about spells, Ji Chen rushed into Cortez's mage tower.

He had to admit that he had underestimated these techniques.

For the past month, he has almost had the illusion that his brain cells have been completely drained by the surgery.

"Teacher, this acceleration technique on page 709 is a bit profound. I feel like it incorporates a time element. Could you help me grasp it?"

no?!

How long has it been, and you've already reached page 709?!

Cortes was incredulous and examined Ji Chen several times, confirming that it was true.

His face immediately showed a blank expression of shattered worldview, and he was still clutching a tuft of beard that he had pulled out in shock.

Are you kidding me?

Can you master most of a surgical technique dictionary in a month?

You think you're reading a web novel, skimming through chapters like that?

An ordinary mage has to work on it month by month to finish a basic spellbook, and if they are not careful, they will be stuck for half a year.

Ji Chen, on the other hand, managed to read through and thoroughly understand the mage spell dictionary he was given, which was often thousands of pages long and had annotations thicker than the main text, all in just one month!

His own speed is no better than that.

If ordinary mages who can't learn a hundred spells in a year and get a headache just from flipping through a few pages of a book knew this progress, they would probably have a complete mental breakdown.

If this world weren't real and not a game, Cortes would have suspected that this kid was using cheats or having connections.

Amazing wisdom: This is truly amazing!

"Ahem, I advise you to review it again. Learning too fast can make your foundation unstable. I happen to have some free time these days, so I can give you some extra lessons."

Cortez felt he needed to slow down the pace.

Otherwise, his "Somersault Cloud" airship, worth nearly a billion star coins, would really be a waste of money.

Of course, as a responsible teacher, Cortes still explained Ji Chen's doubts.

"Good, your understanding is very accurate. This acceleration spell is a complex spell, and it does indeed have a time element. You need to do this and that, and then..."