A massive influx of information surged into Lucien's mind, which was eventually sorted and integrated, forming the knowledge base for a brand new Meditation Method.
These pieces of knowledge, transmitted directly to his mind, were very easy to grasp, as if Lucien knew them from a long time ago and was merely picking them up again.
Soon, Lucien fully absorbed this knowledge and mastered the new Meditation Method.
Simply put, this was an upgraded version of the Greybone Meditation Method, with many additions and improvements to the original content.
To give a not-entirely-accurate analogy, if the original Greybone Meditation Method was a simple sketch, then the Greybone Meditation Method: Modified was like adding numerous details and shadows to the sketch.
Although it was more challenging than the Greybone Meditation Method, the overall effect was significantly enhanced.
Not to mention anything else, the fact that the Greybone Meditation Method: Modified could solidify 180 spiritual runes, an increase of two-thirds compared to the original, was testament to its excellence.
And the most crucial point was that after learning the Greybone Meditation Method, learning this "upgraded version" was much easier, given the strong connection between the two Meditation Methods.
However, Lucien soon thought of a new question.
According to the system's logic, teaching his students knowledge could lead to acquiring higher-level knowledge. Then, what would happen if he taught the advanced knowledge learned from the system back to his students?
Greybone Meditation Method: Modified: Modified?
The corners of Lucien's mouth lifted in a mischievously evil smile.
Just at this moment, Carly, who had had her eyes closed, stirred, signaling the end of her first meditation.
However, when Carly opened her eyes, a trace of despondency flashed through them.
Indeed, her Talent was too poor; even sensing Magic Essence, which that Third-level Wizard Apprentice on the airship had said was very easy, seemed exceedingly difficult for her.
Her weakest first-grade talent and innately feeble spiritual power made perceiving the free-floating Magic Essence particularly hazy.
For those apprentices with high Talent, sensing the Magic Essence drifting in the air might be as clear as reading the lines on their palm, but for her, it was not even like trying to make out flowers through the fog. It felt more like fumbling in darkness, where she would only occasionally and luckily stumble upon one or two "dead mice."
Carly was utterly dejected and didn't even dare to look at Lucien; at that moment, she wanted to shrink away until she was invisible and unable to be found by anyone.
Perhaps, she was never meant for the lofty world of Wizards but should return to the estates of the Earl's family, back to the somewhat damp and moldy dormitory of the Earl's house, and honestly serve as a minor servant...
As Carly's thoughts wandered, her mood turned increasingly negative.
"Carly, have you finished meditating?"
Yet, Lucien's words forced her to end her chaotic thoughts as she awkwardly lifted her head, "Done... finished, Instructor Lucien."
"Oh, how do you feel? Many people have some adverse reactions after their first meditation," Lucien chuckled. He only asked in passing—if Carly wasn't feeling well, his teaching plans for the day might have to end there.
"I..." Carly's mouth opened, but before she could finish her sentence, tears fell first.
Lucien: ???
"I'm sorry, Instructor Lucien, I... I'm just too stupid..." Carly's words were almost incoherent. Lucien tried to interrupt several times but couldn't find an appropriate opportunity.
In the end, he could only helplessly offer her a towel and wait for Carly's emotions to stabilize before thinking about what to do next.
However, through Carly's somewhat incoherent apology, Lucien roughly understood the problem at hand.
Carly's magical talent might be among the worst even within first-rate apprentices.
So perhaps the simplest first step, "Perception of Magic Essence," which is simple for other newcomers, was especially difficult for Carly.
It wasn't an issue with Carly's individual abilities, but rather a constraint due to innate factors.
Perhaps for other mentors, a student with such poor talent wouldn't be worth cultivating; they might either neglect them or plan on how to make the most use of Carly.
But for Lucien, he wasn't really concerned about the talent of his students.
After all, as long as the student didn't have any significant issues with comprehension that could affect his teaching, there wasn't a big problem.
Yet, what Carly said next made Lucien somewhat uneasy.
"Lucien... Mentor Lucien, maybe you should find someone else to be your student. I... I really feel so sorry for you..." Carly stammered, seemingly negating herself entirely.
Lucien frowned.
He looked at Carly, now truly a bit angry.
I've just tied the knot, and you're thinking of bailing?
However, seeing Carly at that moment, looking pitiful as if withered by the spring rain, Lucien took a deep breath to calm himself down.
He understood that Carly's spirit was on the edge of a cliff, and she couldn't withstand much pressure. Therefore, even his criticism needed to be of the encouraging kind, to invigorate her, not push her over the edge.
Having realized this, Lucien turned to Carly with a serious expression.
"Carly, do you remember what I just told you? I asked you, what is the essence of a wizard?"
Carly was startled, and with somewhat reddened eyes she looked at Lucien. Hesitating, she finally whispered, "A wizard is a scholar who uses knowledge as a lever to pry the rules and gain power."
"Very well answered," Lucien's tone softened somewhat, then he looked at Carly, "So let me ask you, is talent part of knowledge?"
Carly was startled, looked at Lucien, and slowly shook her head, somewhat unsure.
"Have you learned the basic Meditation Method?" Lucien continued to probe.
Carly hesitated, then nodded her head.
"Since you are able to grasp, learn, and attempt to apply knowledge, just doing these three things already makes you a qualified Wizard Apprentice," Lucien said with a smile, an encouraging smile that eased Carly's mood.
"Let me put it this way for you. Talent is only temporary, and even when you advance to become a Formal Wizard, innate ability will no longer be important, but knowledge will always be yours," Lucien said, his smile fading to a serious, heartfelt tone.
"As your mentor, I should criticize you. But not because of your talent, rather because after I've taught you what the essence of being a wizard is, you still haven't grasped the core and essence."
"Besides, the Meditation Method just now was just to get you familiar with it. Now that you have mastered that basic version, we are going to start intensifying it," Lucien patted Carly's shoulder as he spoke.
Carly was startled, somewhat at a loss, her mouth slightly open.
Basic? Intensifying?