Wei'en cleared the table and took out the leftover black bread to fill his stomach.
He had spent the entire afternoon learning the Gonzalez language, and it wasn't just for show.
Now was the time to test the results of his studies!
There were four parchment scrolls in total: "Basic Theories of Magic and a Detailed Explanation of Level-Zero Spells," "An Introduction to Magic Potions—Basic Theories of Potionology," "Materials Science (Apprentice Edition)," and "Magic Potion Recipes (Apprentice Edition)."
According to the exchange list's description, "Basic Theories of Magic and a Detailed Explanation of Level-Zero Spells" introduced the fundamental theories of Magic, as well as the four level-zero spells of the Ghost Soul School.
The other three scrolls were all related to potionology: one on basic theoretical research, one on common basic materials for making Magic Potions, and the last one recorded recipes for five basic Magic Potions.
Wei'en first picked out the scroll "Basic Theories of Magic and a Detailed Explanation of Level-Zero Spells" to study.
Although his Spirit level was sufficient, the advice from the apprentice administration office wasn't without merit.
Potionology wasn't something that would yield results overnight, and his current priority was to increase his strength.
Especially since he had just passed the interview with the Secret Investigation Department and become an Investigator, which undoubtedly increased his chances of facing danger head-on.
Add to that what Lisi had said today about the high death rate for a rookie's first case…
Taking everything into account, Wei'en decided to first learn a few Magic spells for self-protection, which would increase his strength to some degree.
He then unrolled the parchment scroll.
Luckily, there were no strange incidents this time around.
Well, it might have had something to do with him wrapping his hands in Spiritual Power before opening the scroll.
Wei'en looked at the Gonzalez language on the parchment. It was as if he were looking at the common tongue; he could read it without any difficulty.
"Regarding Magic, every school has its own understanding."
"The common theory is that all Magic is based on Spiritual Power, which activates Magic Runes to call upon 'world power' to form an energy attack."
"As for 'world power,' each school's perception of it differs."
"The Blood Spirit School believes 'world power' is water. They compare the body to a pool; the amount of energy one can generate depends on the size of their pool."
"The Wizards of the Mechanical School believe 'world power' is mechanical knowledge. The more knowledge they accumulate, the more powerful the machinery they can create, and the stronger they become."
"The Spiritual Mystery School believes 'world power' is the fundamental law of this world. The stronger a Wizard's command of the law, the more 'world power' they can call upon."
"As for the Shadow School… their theories are too bizarre to be worth mentioning."
"But our Ghost Soul School's theory of Magic is the most unique of all!"
Reading this, Wei'en's red eyes grew even brighter.
"All Magic of the Ghost Soul School is based on the Soul-Devouring Technique—or more precisely, the 'source progenies' derived from it!"
'Source progenies?'
He glanced up at his "Xiaoxis." 'So that's what they're called?'
Noticing their confused looks, Wei'en pursed his lips. "What are you looking at? Get back to Meditation. Don't even think about slacking off."
The very picture of a ruthless taskmaster…
Hearing this, the Xiaoxis exchanged a glance and began to swallow even more vigorously.
"The 'source progeny' is the foundation of the Ghost Soul School's Magic. However, limited by their source strength, most Wizards of the school only have a single source progeny their entire lives…"
Wei'en's body trembled. 'Is this the secret of the source?'
'Someone with a powerful source can have multiple source progenies?'
'My current source strength is 4. Doesn't that mean I can have four progenies?'
"Of course, some Wizards are exceptionally gifted, born with a powerful source and multiple 'progenies.' This makes them the elites among Ghost Mages, even legendary figures across the continent."
"The Ghost Soul School was founded because of the 'source progeny,' and it is famous across the continents because of it as well. So, how does one use a 'source progeny' to perform Magic…"
"It's actually very simple: strengthen a single 'source progeny'!"
'Strengthen?'
'How do I strengthen it?'
Wei'en suppressed his confusion and continued reading.
"The school calls this a 'Magic System.' It is a composite system of Magic built with the 'source progeny' at its core, combining theories from the Spiritual Mystery, Blood Spirit, and Mechanical Schools."
"Here, we must mention the school's internal classifications of 'Magic Systems.'"
"Based on the different Rune Brandings on the 'source progeny,' they can be roughly divided into three paths. The first is the Undead Magic system, which involves engraving an Undead Summoning Brand onto the 'source progeny.'"
"The second is the general Magic system, which includes paths like elemental, physical modification, or mechanical enhancement. Similarly, one would engrave the corresponding Rune Branding."
"The third is the Secret Technique system. This system... requires the cooperation of multiple 'source progenies.' The more progenies, the more comprehensive the Magic system."
"The existence of these three paths is what allows for the diverse development of Wizards within our school. As a result, in most cases, our school is attacked by other Wizard Schools, including the Spiritual Mystery, Mechanical, and Blood Spirit Schools."
"Because they suspect we stole their Magic systems… The answer is obvious. When there's a ready-made one to learn, why bother with such a thankless task?"
Wei'en: "..."
Only the Ghost Soul School could make robbery sound so fresh and refined.
At the same time, he now understood the principle behind the Ghost Soul School's Magic systems.
It involved branding runes inside the source progenies—his "Xiaoxis"—and then supplementing them with other methods to finally form one's own Magic system.
For Wei'en, the choice wasn't difficult.
He possessed multiple source progenies, so he was definitely going for the more numerous and powerful Secret Technique system. He'd have to be an idiot to choose any other Magic system.
'Hmm?'
Just as Wei'en was about to continue studying the level-zero Magic, he felt his body reaching its limit.
Exhaustion—a dual exhaustion of both body and Spirit!
Wei'en rubbed his head, but it didn't help at all. He only felt his eyelids getting heavier and heavier...
This forced him to stop his studies.
'A pity I couldn't finish engraving the Magic... Why am I so exhausted?'
Perhaps it was related to the "lost secrets" he had learned.
The history of the distant past and the lost secrets of the slumbering Ancient God carried a weight that was difficult for him to bear.
Studying the two parchment scrolls, "Gonzalez Language (Introductory)" and "Basic Theories of Magic and a Detailed Explanation of Level-Zero Spells," had brought him great improvement, but it had also consumed a great deal of his energy.
Perhaps... the nauseating "Sound of Divinity" also had something to do with it.
With that thought, he struggled onto his bed and fell into a deep, comatose sleep.
Just then, the two "Xiaoxis" looked at each other, both pursing their lips in unison before turning their faces away.
"Rexi."
"Dad!"
"Apu..."