Thousand-Faced Dragon

Chapter 66 Wanting to Become a Mage

"Spells are a phenomenon, an independent magical effect. The caster's enemy is never nature; nature and the elements are always your allies and partners."

“The act of casting a spell is actually a process of reshaping magical abilities and elements that are diffused in the multiverse, and finally materializing them in a specific area in a specific way.”

"The materialized target can be the magical prototype of a senior mage, the innate magical ability of a magical creature like a dragon, or even a natural phenomenon in a specific area. We mages understand it, analyze it, and reproduce it. Don't think you can surpass nature, at least not in front of legends."

In the small room, an old sorcerer with white hair and beard was explaining the essence of magic.

Several disciples listened attentively, especially the little fellow, who held the pen with his red claws and diligently wrote and drew on the paper.

Suddenly, the teacher called roll.

"Little guy, you are also a dragon vein sorcerer born with the ability to cast spells. What does it feel like when you cast spells?"

The little guy, Kuku, was startled and quickly stood up.

"First, hold your breath! Then, whoosh! Raise your hands, stare at the target, and whoosh, you're out!!" He gestured as he spoke.

"Boom!" He even imitated the sound of an explosion.

The little guy spoke very seriously, but it was precisely this seriousness that made him comical, which amused the other mages.

"Ha, just as Kuku said, magical creatures and warlocks rely on instinct when casting spells. If we only look at the speed and quantity of spells cast, we mages cannot compare. We are latecomers without talent, diligent individuals who make up for our innate deficiencies with knowledge and wisdom."

Kuku listened attentively, after all, this learning opportunity was hard-won for him.

"Warlocks and magical creatures rely on instinct to cast spells, which is their advantage, but it is also limited by their talent. In most cases, their growth rate and potential are far inferior to ours."

Kuku worked here in this mage tower for six years as an assistant instructor and servant before he was given the opportunity to learn magic from new apprentices.

Just as the teacher said, warlocks who awaken their dragon blood naturally know how to cast spells, but not only is their growth rate subtle, their upper limit is also determined by their bloodline origin.

The kobold warlock's bloodline limit. Being able to master the second-level scorching ray is the result of more than ten years of adventure and experience.

He hasn't awakened any new spells for seven or eight years, and it seems that his bloodline potential has been exhausted.

Although he still looks clumsy, he is actually not young anymore.

His arduous journey to becoming a mage was not smooth, or rather, extremely difficult.

"Little one, you're in charge of washing our robes. Remember to bring them to us when you're done."

"Kuku, my room is a mess again. Could you clean it for me later?"

"Homework, you know what I mean."

Originally a servant, the other apprentices readily continued to "use" it.

This is actually quite a friendly approach.

"Uh, sorry, I didn't see you." There are quite a few jerks like this who inexplicably walk over, step on your foot, and then watch you jump around for fun.

The other apprentices never helped Kuku either, after all, he was just a "clown".

A clown who has mastered at least one spell, including at least three second-level spells, making him the envy and even the source of jealousy!
Why is it that you warlocks can learn a second-circle spell that would take me half a year to learn and cost me dozens or even hundreds of gold coins just by sleeping?

Why is it that you, relying on instinct, can unleash the same spell faster, more accurately, and with greater power than I can?

Why should we have to master incantations, gestures, spell models, and go through difficult and complex calculations to cast spells, while you can cast spells with just a thought!
Why is it that you, a clearly inferior race, are able to enter the mage tower and gain the teacher's favor?
Why is it that you were born with the language of dragons, which takes us countless years to learn and master? Why is it that your occasional brilliant idea can win the teacher's appreciation?
“Kuku knows, Kuku will do it right away.”

Even when faced with bullying and exclusion, Kuku responds with a smile, just like a simple and happy little dog-headed human.

But having had an adventurous career for over a decade, he had already experienced far too much.

If one is an outcast, the only outcast to enter the beastman society, and if any conflict arises, most people will naturally stand against them.

If I want to study in the Mage Tower for a few more years, I have no choice but to be patient and pretend that I don't understand.

The weaker party may swallow its anger simply because it cannot withstand the storm of conflict.

Even so, his studies were still not going well. "Kuku, he really is an idiot." He was a little frustrated; some innate deficiencies are too difficult to overcome.

Kobolds have noticeably lower intelligence. Even among them, Kuku is an anomaly, and his intelligence is still lower than that of ordinary people. Mages, on the other hand, rely on intelligence and mental strength for their livelihood.

Only those considered geniuses by ordinary people can become mages, and only the most talented among geniuses have the opportunity to become grand mages.

Kuku is inferior to the other apprentices in many aspects, including culture, natural knowledge, language, and mathematics.

A mage is a scholar, and a junior mage must also study a certain area of ​​academic knowledge, which can all serve as nourishment for learning magic.

He had nothing, and even when he had a sudden inspiration or a flash of brilliance, it was not systematic. As expected, Kuku's learning progress was at the bottom among the apprentices.

This backwardness might be a good thing for him, at least it brings more ridicule than hostility.

Six years have passed. Some apprentices have graduated, some have become teaching assistants, while Kuku remains the lowest-ranking apprentice and handyman.

But perhaps even the goddess of fate couldn't bear to see it anymore, and luck finally smiled upon him in retrospect, or perhaps it was misfortune.

"I! Kuku! I can actually master the Fireball Technique!"

He had been stuck with his warlock bloodline for over ten years, and now he's made a leap forward!
Whether or not one can become a third-circle mage who masters the third-circle fireball spell makes a world of difference to the spellcaster.

At this point, the spellcaster could become a high-paid henchman for a mercenary group and graduate independently.

Kuku had no intention of leaving, but the following month, he was kicked out of the mage tower!
A very valuable magical item has been stolen, and some people accuse him of theft, while others remain silent.

"It's not Kuku! It really isn't Kuku!"

In a panic, Kuku explained to the master of the mage tower, his mentor.

“I know.” The old mage, whose lifespan was nearing its end, sighed.

"But some of them say it's you, and most of the rest hope it's you." Perhaps only the teacher truly understands Kuku, knowing that he is not as naive and foolish as he appears.

Kuku fell silent, filled with regret. Shouldn't he have shown off his magic? He had only hoped to gain more attention and a little respect.

The point isn't whether Kuku stole it or not, but that most people expect him to have stolen it and expect him to be kicked out.

When most of the people around the teacher were placed on one side of the scale, including the former chief of the mage tower, a choice had to be made.

"This is a letter from my junior. He also needs apprentices and combat power this time. Remember to hide it well, pretend to be even dumber, and learn as much as possible." With that, the semi-retired teacher handed him a letter of introduction.

Kuku cried, cried very sadly.

While crying, she bowed to the teacher several times, and then left the mage tower without hesitation.

Two years later, he returned once more, watching his teacher's funeral from afar. He left again, never to return to the city where the mage tower was located for the rest of his life.

"Is it really that difficult to become a mage and understand how the world works?"

"I just want to become a mage, even if it's the worst and most foolish one."

Rean, who had just woken up from his dream, wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes.

Kuku has never regretted it. Meeting a teacher and being guided onto the path of a true spellcaster is perhaps Kuku's greatest happiness.
"Peeping! Peeping into other people's memories! You scoundrel!" Kusla, who was sitting on the edge of the bed reading a book, was quite annoyed.

Rean took a deep breath, feeling a bit annoyed and hesitant. He realized that his understanding of magic had been too naive.

Is that request that I've always wanted to make really appropriate?

To ask Kuku to teach magic with a "whatever works, works, whatever doesn't work" attitude is nothing short of an insult to Kuku's hard-earned life.

"Want to learn magic? Sure. Kuku will teach you." Kuku, whose satisfaction rating (favorability) was in the low 20s, actually agreed without hesitation.

Rean's expression froze.

"As long as someone is willing to learn magic, no matter who it is, Kuku will not refuse. He will not refuse!" The little guy said with a matter-of-fact expression.

(End of this chapter)