"Heifei is a very excellent mentor, dedicated to teaching her students, especially during the Q&A sessions, where she is very patient.
Wayne is also very diligent in his studies.
It's obvious that the teacher is too excellent.
With Heifei's abilities, teaching basic magic to students is undoubtedly a waste of talent, it's like using a sledgehammer to kill a mosquito, it's exaggerated.
Wayne didn't want to miss this opportunity to demonstrate his exceptional learning ability and memory. He absorbed Heifei's teachings like a sponge.
Rather than saying absorb, it's more like squeezing.
Heifei wiped the cold sweat from her forehead quietly. This student was too terrifying. If it were someone else teaching, Wayne would have already exhausted them.
Under Heifei's guidance, Wayne flipped open the chapter on the 'Four Elements' according to the table of contents.
The Hexagram Magic Book contains some magic closely related to the four elements. There aren't many spells, with each element corresponding to three to four spells, adding up to less than fifteen spells in total.
Mastering the four elements and casting the corresponding basic magic is the foundation course for magicians. Magic related to faith and divine arts is another matter and is not included in the Hexagram Magic Book.
Even if they were included, these spells would be of no use. They are all stamped with the seal of faith, and only the followers of the corresponding gods can cast them. They belong to the heritage among the members of the church.
Wayne asked many questions, and Heifei answered each one.
Wayne was shocked that magicians in this world could perform instant magic. Instant basic magic depended on proficiency, while instant advanced magic depended on faith. Unless the magician's thoughts were confused, they wouldn't get stuck in combat.
The situation of lacking mana is another matter.
"I've told you before, everyone's Hexagram emphasizes different points, so they excel in different basic magics."
Heifei pointed to rows of spells, explaining each word to Wayne and analyzing the deep meanings behind the spells, allowing Wayne to have a more intuitive understanding of what magic spells are.
"In simple terms, spells are formulas for expressing magical forms. Using different spells will result in different kinds of magic."
"Powerful magicians can create their own formulas. They are not bound by spells. Even spells related to faith can be innovated with their own thoughts and wills. They can find the most suitable form of magic expression for themselves."
"So, spells are not really important. The key is in the mindset."
The significance of spells is to more intuitively express formulas. They are the thought process magicians use to cast magic. The popularity of formulas makes it easy for beginners to master magic.
For example, the formula for the area of a right triangle is commonly known as s=1/2ab. Beginners don't need to know why; they just need to remember this formula to solve problems.
With repeated practice, the answer will naturally emerge. In this way, it's natural for magicians to cast instant magic.
Wayne nodded. He understood this principle. Chris once said that the way magic changes reality depends on the magician's mindset. Magic power is just a lever; mindset is the key. There's no need to dwell on spells; magic is not such an inconvenient thing!
Chris: Thanks for the invite, but I didn't say that.
Wayne was eager to try the magic formulas in the book. He glanced at Heifei and saw the encouraging smile from his mature teacher. He recited the spell and attempted his first spellcasting.
Last time's transformation didn't count; it was too hasty, and he still didn't fully understand it.
Unsurprisingly, Wayne's attempt failed.
Heifei smiled and explained, "You have too little magic power. Of course, it's not just about magic power; the more important reason is the Hexagram. You lack the four elements within you; you haven't even lit them up."
Heifei may be a little nearsighted, she took out a pair of gold-rimmed glasses and put them on. The glasses slightly covered her aggressively sharp looks, adding a touch of intellectual and elegant charm.
She turned the pages back to the Hexagram, pointing them out one by one, saying, "Generally speaking, being proficient in two types of elemental magic is already very good for students, three types are rare talents..."
"Four types are almost nonexistent!"
"The difficulty lies in the two opposing elements of water and fire, which represent the strength and weakness of desires when applied to humans."
"Those strong in desire excel in fire elements, while those with low desires excel in water elements. Those who perfectly balance desires... are not good at either fire or water elements."
"Earth and wind elements are favorites of magicians and are proficiently used by most of them."
Heifei said slowly, "The former can bring powerful physical abilities to magicians. Although they are magicians, everyone has a heart for close combat. For example, me, I am very good at close combat... forget it, I am an exception, I won't talk much about it here."
"The popularity of wind elements is easier to understand. It is the breath of life, symbolizing physical health, and more importantly, eternal youth. Every living being, male or female, dreams of it."
"In contrast, water and fire are incompatible. Deliberately pursuing the perfect balance of the two elements will only result in failure twice. It's not worth the effort. It's enough to excel in one of water and fire."
"I come from an academic background. Academic mentors tend to suppress desires in students, that is, to master water elements. Strong desires mean ambition, which is a good thing, but strong desires seriously interfere with a magician's thinking, which is me in the Hexagram."
"Driven by desire, I will gradually lose my reason and become extremely attached when in contact with the void, eventually becoming an extreme black magician in personality."
Heifei said solemnly, "Students are too young and can't resist temptation. You're the same. Don't have too much contact with fire elements from the outside world. They will strengthen your desires, making you greedy, irritable, lecherous, lazy, and arrogant, and easily jealous of others' achievements."
Wayne: "..."
Why are you talking about me? What's there to look at? I'm not arrogant, nor will I be jealous of anyone.
Heifei emphasized once again the horror of desires. She turned the pages back to the chapter on the four elements, talked about all the spells, and entered the most crucial part of tonight's lesson.
Meditation!
"Meditation can strengthen your mind and can also be used to practice magic power. Let's start with some simple ones tonight. Try to communicate with the four elements through meditation. It's temporary and not urgent. The vast world is too dangerous for you..."
Heifei reminded, "Basic knowledge of magic is enough to ignite your Hexagram. Remember this, don't overstep, and don't try to challenge yourself. Your current mindset can't withstand too much intense stimulation."
Wayne nodded obediently. After familiarizing himself with meditation, he eagerly looked at Heifei.
"I can't do anything with you!"
Heifei took off her glasses. "Give it a try. It's okay if you fail. The meditation method passed down by the church is very gentle, and with me here, nothing will happen to you."
Wayne couldn't wait to sit cross-legged on the sofa.
There are no strict requirements for the posture of meditation. Standing, lying down, standing upside down, or lying prone with buttocks raised—whichever position is comfortable and helps one enter the state is fine.
Wayne's cross-legged position is purely a personal preference. He treats magic like cultivation.
With the meditation method, Wayne's breathing gradually became steady, as if he had grown an extra pair of eyes—two gray-white eyes.
Through these eyes, Wayne saw a gray-white world, much like an X-ray. He saw the gray figure of Heifei opposite him, as well as the four elemental points within him.
More of them were the four elemental points floating in the natural world—stable earth, restless fire, tranquil water, and lively wind.
Something's wrong!
The perspective is wrong!
Wayne found his perspective was at chest level. He didn't have one eye and one eye; he only had one eye, much larger than normal.
Damn it, the aftermath of merging with the Book of Greed is still there!
Wayne was about to stop meditating and ask Heifei if it was still possible to save him from his illness when he heard Heifei's guiding voice.
"Wayne, stretch out your hands and embrace the elements of nature. Remember not to communicate with the fire element; that's desire, and you can't control them now."
Wayne followed the instructions, trying to stretch out his hands, which were twisted and full of folds like a diseased person. He thought it would be difficult, but he succeeded in one go.
Several sticky tentacles stretched out.
Wayne: "..."
What am I now?
Well, that's it. Tentacles are just right, corresponding to magical girls!
The elements were terrified. They swerved away, especially the earth, which ran the slowest, while the wind ran the fastest, and the water almost cried!
Only fire was different. After running a few steps, it stopped. The fire elements were very interested in Wayne and, after a brief hesitation, enthusiastically wanted to play with the tentacles.
Wayne remembered Heifei's teachings, only letting the fire elements touch lightly and never letting them enter his body.
He refused the enthusiastic fire elements and reached out his tentacles to plunder the three elemental points of earth, wind, and water.
That's right, plundering.
Here's one, and here's another one. Hmm, let me see, is there one hidden here?
Hehehe, I found you!
Wherever the tentacles passed, the three elements fled in panic. Those unlucky enough to be captured struggled desperately and cried out to their companions for help.
Companions: If you want to die, then die on your own. Let go quickly!
In the classroom, Heifei's eyes shimmered with green light. She didn't see Wayne's big eyes or the tentacles bullying others. She only saw Wayne integrating one elemental point after another into his body.
The terrifying affinity of elements!
For the first meditation, to be liked by the elements one after another, each eager to respond to Wayne, it was quite an achievement!
Heifei remembered her first meditation. Because it was difficult to communicate with the elements, she had to put in a lot of effort. In the end, she only attracted two elements, one earth and one wind, and then it was over.
Most of her classmates ended in failure, but the teacher didn't hesitate to praise her as a genius, and her position as the district high priest also proved that the teacher was right. She was indeed a genius.
And Wayne...
"Gurgle!"
Heifei swallowed her saliva, her eyes lit up. Luckily, the goddess of nature blessed her, allowing her to intercept Wayne before the followers of the Moon Goddess completed their meditation.
She was ready to praise Wayne a few words, but she was afraid that praising him too much would make Wayne develop a self-conceited and arrogant character, which would not be conducive to his future growth.
It's better to suppress it first, and then praise later.
A moment later, Wayne woke up from his meditation. For the first time, he couldn't maintain the state for a long time, feeling his head buzzing. He needed to rest for a while.
He looked at Heifei expectantly, wanting to know how good his talent was. Was it good or very good?
"Not bad, average, barely above average. But don't feel discouraged. Compared to geniuses, you're slightly inferior, but compared to idiots, you're much stronger."
Heifei said seriously, "For example, geniuses like me. When I first meditated, I captured thousands... Forget it, I won't discourage you here."
You've already discouraged me!
Wayne sighed. It was true. The total number of elemental points didn't even reach thirty. Compared to Heifei's thousands, it was indeed somewhat unsatisfactory.
It's all the elements' fault for not cooperating!
"Teacher, magic is really difficult..."
Heifei:
Hmm, you're quite a troublemaker.