As an aquamarine grimoire opens and floats above Laurence's hand, Iode was astounded, he stared in awe.
' He is an advanced level mage? Are we even age mate '. Iode thought.
To the wizard tribe, stars a person possess is categorized into five groups. Starting with the Low level/stage, which begins from 1 star to 3 stars. Mid level starts from 4 stars to 6 stars. Next is the Advanced level, which is from 7 stars to 9 stars.
Following it is the High level, which is the 10 stars and 11 stars. The last and highest stage a wizard could ever possibly reach is the Legendary level, which is the 12 stars. The original five, their successors and a very few others reached the legendary stage.
In the wizards magic regulation, Low level and Mid level mages can only learn weak elemental spells and other weak spells that are useful only for daily endeavors.
Once a wizard reaches the advanced level, he would be required to specialize on a particular magic type and choose a grimoire, which will strengthen him, makes it easier to locate spells and help formulate new spells.
When Iode casted two advanced level magic at the practical test back in the Rohanes academy, he was questioned by the authorities where he learned it because he shouldn't have any knowledge about it.
Advanced level spell books and manuals are found only at the towers and academies, not even noble households are allowed to possess one, other than their grimoire.
Iode was applauded to see someone reach advanced level at such a young age. When people reached the advanced stage, most do not attempt to reach the high stage, because it gets extremely hard to reach it.
Most nobles are advanced level mages. An advanced level mage is equal to a royal mage in other kingdoms where their limit is usually 9 star. With this much strength, it is of no need to go up to the high level, when it's really hard to breakthrough anyways.
Iode looked at Laurence's grimoire, however, he noticed that he doesn't have one thing most advanced level mages possess... Something that made many people like Ian, Kyle and Jaen mistake him for an advanced student _ Aura.
' it either he has learned how to hide his aura or he doesn't have one yet or I can't see it ' he thought.
"You are an advanced level mage, but I heard you are with the low level wizards". Laurence said.
"That's because I am a low level mage". Iode replied.
"Are you Toying with me, you clearly have an aura swirling around you how are you a low level mage!".
"I've you forgotten who I am?". Iode said.
"Not at all peasant ". Laurence replied.
A blue magic circle appeared on Laurence's hand and in an instant, Iode and small stones within five metres radius began to float. Iode fluttered his limbs as he was caught unguarded.
' Wh- wha - what! I'm floating and so is everything around me, is this wind magic?'. Iode thought.
' No, if it were wind magic, I'll be the only one in the air, however, everything including the stones of the ground are floating, as if an invisible force is preventing me and those things from touching the ground, the only thing I can think of is, earth magic '. He thought.
' But what kind of earth magic is that, I don't think I see something like that in Igor's grimoire'.
Laurence folded his hand, Iode and other things that floats fell to the ground, however, it feels as if the ground wants to devour him, not letting him lift a finger and his body feels super heavy.
"Gah! I get it now, it gravity, the earth magic he specializes in is gravity, shit, well, he might have stopped my movement but not my mind... Chains of restrictions!".
Right below Laurence, a magic circle appeared and purple chains protrude out of the ground and tied him up.
"A Restraint spell?". Laurence said but he wasn't mesmerized.
However, Iode was yet to finish, "Sunbeam!!!". He casts.
A large magic circle appeared above Iode then it began to shimmer, soon, a powerful beam of energy extrude out of it, channeling it route towards Laurence.
Laurence widens his eyes in surprise, but first thing first, he has to get out of the beam's way. "Blink". He casts.
While specialty is what set advanced level from its lower counterparts, there are some spells that all mages of every level must learn, among them is Mana shield and Blink.
The mana shield, colloquially called the astral shield is an advance level spell that creates an astral shield projection in front of its caster, protecting him from almost any attack, as long as there is enough mana to fuel it.
It is a spell that is dependent on the amount of mana pool present in the mana vessel, thus, it gulps up huge amount of mana. Therefore, it is a spell used as last resort by most people in desperate situations.
Blink on the other hand is a low level teleportation spell that makes its caster teleports from one spot to another with a maximum of 10 meters radius depending on the star of the caster.
Laurence appeared at Iode's blinds spot with a very tense expression, his eyes were filled with surprise and were widely opened.
"How is that possible?! How can a mage cast two advanced level spells from different specializations, it doesn't make any sense!".
Iode could feel that Laurence's spell as relived him, he stood up and faced him.
"You know, Igor was the only one among the original five without any specialization, so it would make sense that as his successor, i would share some semblance with him". Iode said.
From Iode's stigma, purple lights shimmered and a short metal sword with Valier's emblem branded on it showed up.
"Why don't I show you what this peasant from the low level city can do". He smiled and held the hilt of the sword tightly.