The manual was basically written in the format of diary and notes. Many were comprehensive thoughts of old man Etha toward spells. Even if Merlin had grasped hold of more than one thousand Molta words, reading and understanding the content of the manual was still difficult for him.
However, this was also partly due to the manual where it consisted of many technical terms about spells and Spell Caster so Merlin could not understand those parts easily. As for other content in the manual, Merlin could read them in a breeze.
Soon, Merlin found some descriptive text about spells where it discussed the methods to become a Spell Caster.
"To be a Spell Caster, the most basic thing to have is Mind Power! Only those with a strong Mind Power can simulate the Spell Model. It was only then that they etch it in their mind where it eventually becomes the source of Spell Strength!"
Merlin pondered about these words over and over again. Even if he did not understand what a Spell Model really was, he could understand most of what these words were saying.
Mind Power was the foundation to become a Spell Caster!
Maybe old man Etha had realized Merlin's extraordinary Mind Power in the first place. That was why he had given the ring that hid the Spell Manual to Merlin.
As to why Merlin's Mind Power was different than others, that was easy to explain since he was reborn into this world.
Since he knew he possessed the condition to become a Spell Caster, Merlin was exalted. Thus, he continued to read the text to find the way to become a Spell Caster.
Soon, Merlin found old man Etha's words on the third page of the manual. "Mind Power is the basis of a Spell Caster while the build-up of a Spell Model determines the strength of the Spell Caster."
The words "Spell Model" had appeared in the manual quite frequently, but even after searching for a long time, Merlin could not find any Spell Model.
Merlin now knew most of the steps required to be a Spell Caster. Firstly, one must have extraordinary Mind Power. Next, it was to construct a Spell Model and imprint the Spell Model into one's mind using Mind Power. This was the same as simulating a Spell Model in the mind using Mind Power.
If everything went well, then one could become a Spell Caster.
Old man Etha's Spell Manual had many volumes. Merlin read through the first volume and saw that it was all about old man Etha's experiences when he cultivated spells. It did not record about any Spell Model that was the key to become a Spell Caster.
Then, Merlin picked up the second volume. As soon as he flipped it open, he saw an extremely complicated drawing. Under the drawing, there were some explanatory notes from old man Etha.
"Zero-level spell – Fireball's Spell Model. I have improved this Spell Model several times. Its specialty is its stability. Although it may come off a little weaker than other Fireball in power, its forte lies in its stability. Once this Spell Model is used, beginner Spell Casters don't need to worry about the issue of Spell Model falling apart in their minds."
This complicated drawing of Zero-level spell – Fireball's Spell Model was the Spell Model Merlin was searching for.
Other than this Spell Model that was more stable, there were other models of Fireball that were stronger. However, old man Etha had made his notes under these models. If these Spell Models were exceptionally strong in power, then one must always take note of the possible issue of the Spell Model falling apart.
These strong Spell Models did not have a stable construction. Once these were used by force and fell apart in one's mind, this could cause detrimental effects on the Spell Caster and even jeopardize his life.
Therefore, for a Spell Caster, the most important thing was to construct a Spell Model that suit himself.
Merlin did not pause long at the Spell Model of Fireball. He flipped the pages and found that the manual also had the Spell Model of Whirlwind.
Same as the Fireball, the Whirlwind was also a Zero-level spell.
There were two Zero-level spells in total and these were all the spells recorded in old man Etha's manual. Merlin was slightly disappointed as these were only two Zero-level spells that could be considered as the most basic spells.
However, when Merlin began to further study the important detail to become a Spell Caster, he did not dare to look down on these two Zero-level spells anymore.
Take Fireball as an example, though it was simply a Zero-level spell, the complexity of its Spell Model was unfathomable to Merlin. This Spell Model resembled some complicated mathematical model during Merlin's last life.
To completely imprint such complex Spell Model into his mind in addition to Mind Power without a single mistake was very difficult. It brought upon a heavy burden on his Mind Power.
No wonder the basic criteria for one to become a Spell Caster was to have strong Mind Power. If a person's Mind Power was simply passable, he could never be able to simulate such complicated Spell Model in his mind using Mind Power.
Without considering the complexity of the Spell Model, the Spell Caster needed to choose which Spell Model to use – a stable Spell Model or a stronger Spell Model.
Like the Fireball, old man Etha had built more than ten Spell Models for himself, all of which were extremely complex. Merlin only looked at it briefly and he had already felt dizzy and exhausted.
The other spell, Whirlwind, was the same. Its Spell Model was complicated. Two Spell Models had been expanded into many different types and all of these had been written in the manual in more than thirty pages. The second volume of the manual was mostly Spell Models for these two spells.
Merlin sat on his chair and placed the Spell Manual on the study table. He rubbed his forehead lightly. He was not relaxing but was thinking about these two spells in silence instead. He was considering which Spell Model he should adopt.
"In comparison, the power of Fireball is slightly stronger than the Whirlwind. Moreover, it's the spell Teacher Etha is most familiar with. My first spell should be Fireball!"
After comparing the pros and cons of both Fireball and Whirlwind, Merlin finally chose the Zero-level spell – Fireball.
Of course, there were no limitations to Zero-level spell. Normally, a Spell Caster would possess at least three Zero-level spells because only with three Zero-level spells the mind would be in a more stable state so it would not collapse easily this way. In the future, he would be able to upgrade the level of his Spell Model to become an even stronger Spell Caster.
Three Spell Models were the basic but there were some strong Spell Casters who could possess four or five or six or even more Zero-level spells. However, the prerequisite for that was to have enough Mind Power to support all spells. Otherwise, it would be impossible for them to construct more Spell Models in their minds.
Entrance-level Spell Caster like Merlin had Mind Power that could support only one Spell Model at his best.
Having decided on the spell, Merlin would have to face old man Etha's Spell Models again. There were all sorts of Fireball's Spell Model and this was the part that gave him a headache the most.
Although Fireball was simply a Zero-level spell, old man Etha had created thirteen different Spell Models according to his understanding all these years.
Some were stable, some were explosive. However, each of them had their own unique traits.
Merlin read old man Etha's Spell Manual again. In it, he found that some basic Spell Model had to be modified according to personal needs.
The overall structure of Fireball was this way but if the Spell Caster wished to have stronger power and make his Fireball explode when he cast the spell, he would only need to make a slight modification to the Spell Model.
Some Spell Casters wanted to have a more stable Spell Model to support his upgrade in the future to become a First-level, a Second-level and even a higher-level Spell Caster. Therefore, he needed to modify his Spell Model a little to make it more stable.
Merlin was troubled facing these Spell Models. Old man Etha had mentioned in his manual that it was best for him to modify the Spell Model to suit his needs.
However, Merlin was only a beginner. How would he be able to modify these Spell Models left by old man Etha?
Although there were only these few dozens of Spell Models in Etha's Spell Manual, in reality, the calculation and simulation involved in producing these Spell Models surely took old man Etha a long time to complete. Merlin had no time to slowly study these Spell Models at all.
"It'll be much easier if I have The Matrix."
Merlin could not help but sigh. "The Matrix" was a quantum calculator. As a super calculator, the most basic function of matrix calculation, function drawing, and data analysis could be considered as a top notch in the industry. Moreover, the most important aspect was its intelligent core. According to the user's needs, it could construct the perfect model for mathematical or physics purposes.
If he had "The Matrix", Merlin would be able to find the most suitable Spell Model without much effort no matter how complicated these Spell Models were.
"Will you like to initiate the Matrix?"
Merlin was stunned for a minute. He seemed to hear a weak sound, a notification to initiate "'The Matrix".
After a while, there seemed to be no change. Merlin could only shake his head helplessly as he mumbled to himself, "It seems these that Spell Models are definitely too complex for me that I even hallucinated. How can I possibly have The Matrix here?"
Merlin thought the voice earlier as a hallucination that appeared out of exhaustion.
Just when Merlin continued to think about the Spell Models, suddenly a crisp voice rang in his mind. "Will you like to initiate The Matrix?"
The voice this time was extremely clear and kept echoing in his mind. Merlin was stunned for real but soon he was elated. He could not believe this.
"Could it be 'The Matrix' followed me here?"
Though full of doubt, Merlin said in a deep voice, "Initiate The Matrix!"
The order had been placed. Merlin was filled with anticipation as he waited.