Above the mage

Chapter 331 Leomon's Magical Network

"Master Naxi, could you please bring some more Qi-opening tincture tomorrow? Two bottles haven't reached my limit yet." Gao De then remembered something else and quickly replied, "I'll pay for it."

Master Naxi glanced at Gao De and then said, "That's easy. Your drug resistance is different from others, so ordinary experience doesn't apply to you. Therefore, I can't determine the most suitable dosage for you. You have to grasp the right amount yourself."

"As for the Qian Kai Mai Ding, although it is a secret recipe of the Sea Sentinels, it is not a particularly valuable magic potion. Therefore, the Sea Sentinels have always provided Qian Kai Mai Ding for free to newcomers like you, which can be considered part of their welfare."

"Of course, to prevent anyone from abusing it or having ulterior motives to resell it, there is a certain limit to the free supply. If it exceeds this limit, you have to pay for it yourself and submit an application explaining the specific purpose."

As they talked, the two left the rooftop and went back down the steps to the art gallery.

At this moment, the once empty art gallery has become much more lively.

A dozen or so sea sentinel mages dressed in various styles were in the magic hall, using the hall's alchemy equipment to conduct various high-level exercises whose uses were not yet apparent.

For example, several sea sentinel mages were conducting training: activating an alchemy machine that resembled a magic crystal cannon, which would fire a ball of light that would rapidly change direction and move continuously in three-dimensional space at extremely high speed.

The sea sentinel mages stood still, staring at the ball of light.

Seemingly sensing Gao De's curiosity, the Naxi Master casually explained, "This is used to train visual reaction; it's a type of target tracking that helps improve the visual capture ability of ranged attack spells. You'll need to practice this later on."

Because it was part of a later training program, Master Naxi didn't explain it in too much detail, only mentioning it briefly.

These sea sentinel mages were all focused on their training, so no one paid attention to Gaode and Naxi mages who came down from the rooftop.

"No need to see me off, no need to see me off."

Despite the Naxi monk's repeated refusals, Gao De escorted him to the carriage before returning to his "dormitory," which was located diagonally across the street.

Although he had only attended his first training session, he was already able to gain a glimpse of the whole picture from just a small part.

As the oldest official mage organization in the Golden Flower Dynasty, the Sea Sentinels' system and knowledge of battle mages should be among the best, even on the entire continent.

And that's exactly what Gaode needs most.

He has great potential, but to fully realize it, a solid foundation is also very important.

Just like exceptionally talented athletes, after receiving professional training, their performance can improve dramatically in a short period of time.

That's all.

In the following period, Gaode continued to learn spells and practice rune construction.

Haiyuan White Pagoda.

After leaving the Collinwood Magic Hall, the Naxi Master did not go home, but came here instead.

He walked up to Captain Merrick's office and knocked on the door.

"Master Naxi, you've arrived." Captain Merrick opened the door himself, a smile on his face, and personally welcomed Master Naxi inside.

He then took a can of tea from the shop window and personally brewed a cup of tea for the Naxi monk.

"Thank you for your help with Gaode," he said apologetically.

The monk Naxi picked up the tea that Captain Merrick had brewed and took a small sip. "It's my duty."

"So, what do you think of this Gao De?" Captain Merrick asked. "The lower ranks say he has top-tier talent."

"He truly possesses talents that ordinary people do not have," Naxi Master gave an extremely positive assessment.

"And how does he compare to Jaden?" Captain Merrick hesitated for a moment before uttering the somewhat taboo name. "How much worse would he be?"

Upon hearing the name, the sorcerer Naxi gave Captain Merrick a deep look, his face expressionless. He did not directly answer Merrick's question, but instead said calmly, "After my guidance today, he has grasped the basics of the Boundless Breathing Technique. Tomorrow, he can begin to try to build a new main magic energy channel."

As he said this, Master Naxi felt a touch of emotion. He truly hadn't expected that Gaode could grasp the basics of the Boundless Breathing Technique in just one day. No, more accurately, in just three days.

This young man is undoubtedly extremely talented.

"You've already mastered the Limitless Breathing Technique, in just one day?" Captain Merrick's pupils constricted slightly upon hearing what the sorcerer Naxi said.

"How long did it take the fastest sea sentinels to master the Boundless Breathing Technique?" he couldn't help but ask.

"Four days, I guess. But that was many years ago. The Sea Sentinel Mage who set that record is no longer around. As for Jaden, it took him eight days."

The monk Naxi had already pondered the question Captain Merrick had raised, so he gave an answer instantly.

"He has set a new record in mastering this immeasurable breathing technique."

"This kid!!" Merrick exclaimed, his eyes shining. "He definitely has great potential."

"The speed at which one masters the breathing technique doesn't determine anything, not to mention that he has only just begun to master it and hasn't even started building his main magical energy network yet," said the Naxi mage calmly.

"That's what they say, and it's true that it makes sense." Merrick agreed with the cold water poured on by the monk Naxi.

Because breathing techniques, while not unimportant to a mage, are indeed only a small part of the overall skill set, and talent in this area alone does not mean anything.

"But a true genius should be gifted in all aspects, and Gao De has at least proven that he is talented in this area." While acknowledging this, Merrick also had his own opinions.

"I've come here today mainly to discuss with you what kind of magic network you think would be most suitable for him in this situation?"

The Naxi monk did not want to delve into this topic and went straight to the point about the purpose of his visit.

"Let Gaode decide for himself. Although based on his performance in the retest, he should be considered a fairly standard ranged mage, but who knows if he has his own preferences?"

"I could recommend the Agana Magic Network to him. The double-helix magic network structure in the hands, created by the mage Agana, provides the most significant boost to the casting speed of spells released from the hands, making it perfect for most ranged attack spells," Captain Merrick said after a moment's thought.

Although they are high-level mages, their experience is certainly richer than that of high-level monks.

But only you know yourself best, know what suits you best, and know what you like best.

Therefore, in steps requiring choices, the Sea Sentinels generally follow a process where the guiding mage provides references, and the mage makes the final choice.

The guiding monk is only responsible for providing guidance, not as a true mentor.

The Naxi monk remained silent for a moment before standing up. "I understand."

Inside the "dormitory".

Gao De opened his eyes with some excitement.

Because he had just acquired the [Touch of the Ocean] yesterday, he had just successfully constructed the spell model in one go.

Focus your mind on the wind spirit and moon shadow.

Add some points!

【Ocean's Touch+】(Change type, 1st ring):

You make the target's fingers and toes webbed. This spell does not grant the target any ability to breathe underwater.

Additional benefit: The recipient will have improved energy efficiency while swimming, enabling them to swim longer distances with less physical exertion.

This enhancement direction is in the same series as [Light Feather Step+], both of which are enhancement directions that don't seem particularly special but are very practical.

Double happiness.

After mastering [Ocean Touch+], Gaode's first-circle spell repertoire has expanded to 18 spells.

With the addition of the five spell recipes in his hand that have not yet been developed into spell models, his first-level spell repertoire will soon reach 23.

Such a depth of spell repertoire already qualifies one as a seasoned first-level mage.

The only drawback is that out of so many first-level spells, there's only one attack spell: [Frozen Blade].

However, Gaode Maps isn't in a hurry.

After all, he had already joined the Sea Sentinels.

As a battle mage, why worry about not having a place to learn offensive spells?

With a slight sense of joy, Gao De arrived at the meditation room and began his practice for the day.

The next morning, after washing up and having breakfast at the "canteen", Gao De went to the Collinwood Art Museum.

It was still early, and he was the first to arrive; the Naxi monks had not yet arrived.

Following his instructions from the previous day, Gao De went to the small rooftop of the art studio to "practice his courage."

After yesterday's attempt, Gaode has gradually mastered the "courage training" technique.

Although I can't walk on flat ground yet, at least I won't feel as panicked as I did at the beginning.

About an hour later, the Naxi monk appeared at the entrance to the rooftop.

Upon discovering the arrival of the Naxi Master, Gao De immediately stopped practicing and respectfully bowed slightly to him.

"Your main task today is to choose a suitable magic network. Follow me," said the Naxi mage, still expressionless, as he looked at Gaode.

Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!

"Yes, Master Naxi." Master Naxi's "coldness" did not diminish Gao De's respect for him.

Whether in a past life or this life, Gaode always respects those who impart knowledge, as long as they have no moral problems or malice towards them, regardless of their personality.

Following in the footsteps of the Naxi monk, Gao De went downstairs, exited through the main gate, boarded a Sea Sentinel's "bus," and headed towards the Sea Abyss White Pagoda.

After getting off the carriage, the Naxi monk led Gao De directly into the White Pagoda of the Abyss. Using his identification badge, he led Gao De up to the second floor of the mage tower, which he did not yet have permission to enter, and brought him to a thick door.

The identity verification process was repeated, and the sturdy door opened with a click.

What comes into view are rows of old bookshelves piled with bundles of rolled parchment, and a distinctive smell of ink wafts out.

"This is one of the Sea Sentinels' libraries, mainly containing various methods for building magical energy networks and some experiences from predecessors," said the Naxi Mage.

"Before we go on, let me explain to you what the Magic Network is."

"I already told you about the basics yesterday. Through the Boundless Breathing Technique, we can rebuild a new main magic energy network. In the process of rebuilding, our predecessors discovered that different magic energy network networks can be built to give full play to individual strengths, depending on individual circumstances."

After thinking for a moment, Gao De roughly understood what the Naxi monk meant.

The simplest analogy is that, both are running and involve the use of leg muscles, but long-distance runners mainly train slow-twitch muscles with smaller fiber diameters, which are suitable for endurance activities, while sprinters train fast-twitch muscles with larger fiber diameters and greater explosive power.

"Like the Bigby Magic Network, because it directly connects the magic channels in the limbs and torso, it has a stronger conductivity for transformation spells or spells that directly affect the body and require continuous mana consumption."

"For example, the Agana Magic Network, with its double helix structure, provides a particularly significant boost to the casting speed of ranged attack spells. I think this would be quite suitable for you, so I recommend that you consider it first."

"I'm giving these examples just to illustrate a point."

"There is no standard good or bad in the magic network; the best one is always the one that suits you best."

"The magic network you choose should be in line with your own actual situation and future plans. Don't choose a magic network that is unsuitable for you just because you are greedy for the ability of a certain magic network."

"I understand, thank you for the reminder, Master Naxi." Gao De thought for a moment, then asked, "May I inquire about the different types of magical energy networks?"

"The various magical networks treasured by the Sea Sentinels are all here. You can look through them yourself," said the Naxi mage, pointing to the bookshelf.

Gao De nodded, walked to the bookshelf, and casually picked up a roll of parchment.

【Gareth's Magic Network】

"The magic network is also divided into major and minor categories. The Bigby Magic Network and Agana Magic Network mentioned earlier are major categories, while this is a minor category."

"Because it only has two straight main magic channels, connecting the soles of the feet to the mana accumulation point in the abdomen, and then leading to the sea of ​​spells, it only provides a casting speed bonus for spells that affect the feet, such as [Great Stride], which is too limiting."

"Most people choose a major category of magic networks based on their own preferences, and then select a few minor magic networks as needed."

Gao De put the Gareth Magic Network back and took out a new parchment.

【Isol's Magic Network】, 【Velendo's Magic Network】.

During the Naxi monk's introduction, Gao De reviewed all the magic network diagrams, totaling about fifty, mainly in smaller categories, all named directly after the monks who created those magic network diagrams.

After putting the last parchment back, Gao De asked, "Master Naxi, is that all?"

"What?" Naxi the monk asked, slightly surprised. "Not a single one you're satisfied with?"

Gao De nodded frankly: "These aren't comprehensive enough. Is there a magic network that can encompass various spells?"

He is different from others.

Others need to spend a very long time learning spells, so given the limited energy and time, one can only choose the best spells to learn based on needs. These are usually systematic and can be matched with a magic network that targets a specific characteristic.

He never turned anyone away.

His spell repertoire is too diverse, and there are always areas that these magical networks cannot cover.

"Not comprehensive enough?" Master Naxi paused, then asked, "Is this your future plan?"

Gaode nodded again.

After a slight hesitation, Master Naxi finally offered a word of advice: "A person's energy is limited. Trying to be all-encompassing often leads to mediocrity in every aspect."

Gao De thought for a moment and said tactfully, "I feel that I still have enough energy right now."

"Then so be it," Master Naxi paused, then didn't insist any further. After all, he was just a mentor mage of Gaode. He thought for a moment and then said, "There is indeed a magic network that meets your requirements."

"It's just that no one has chosen it for a long time, and it's been deemed an unusable magic network by the high-ring mages of the Sea Sentinels, so it was specially put away."

Gao De's eyes flickered slightly.

"Can I take a look?"

The Naxi monk sighed, "You wait."

After saying this, he left the library and returned a moment later with a scroll that was significantly newer than the parchment scrolls on the shelves, which he handed to Gao De.

Gao De quickly took it and opened the scroll.

[Leo Monk's Magical Network].

As expected, it was a magic network that met his requirements. This Leomon magic network was extremely comprehensive, requiring the construction of 365 main magic networks throughout the body.

Furthermore, each main magic channel employs several structures best suited to its respective location, allowing the creator to choose different magic channels based on their spellcasting abilities.

In other words, theoretically, building this magic network is equivalent to building all the other magic networks in the library.

However, the sheer scale of this complex network of magical structures made its construction incredibly demanding.

For most mages, spending a lot of time building such a network of magical energy is pointless, as most of the magical energy is unusable, making it purely a "showcase project."

No wonder it was put away.

But clearly, he is not among the majority of mages.

This is the magic network that best suits him.

Gao De looked up from the parchment in his hand and said earnestly to the Naxi monk, "I'll choose this one."

(End of this chapter)