The old man said, "If you see someone in the future wearing a sapphire ring or jewelry, showing a clear preference for sapphires, even if they are not dressed as a magician, you should still be cautious, as they may very well be a magician."
Ivan's eyes lit up as he gently picked up the sapphire ring, feeling its lightness and coolness in his hand. The sapphire on the surface of the ring shimmered with a faint light, as if containing endless magical power.
"Can this ring protect me from harm?" Ivan asked, "And how do I use it, as I don't know any magic?"
The old man smiled as he explained, "No magic is needed. You just need to make a contract with this ring, let it acknowledge you as its master, and then the ring will protect you. However, for the powerful magic of Kemirtedi, this is far from enough. You need to press the sapphire face of the ring tightly against the object created by Kemirtedi, and then use your other hand to rotate the sapphire face three times. Yes, gently rotate it, remember to turn it clockwise three times, and the ring will absorb any potentially harmful magical energy on its own."
Ivan listened intently, gazing at the mysterious runes on the ring, feeling the mysterious aura it exuded. The ring seemed to be a magical item connecting to the world of magic, filling him with a sense of awe.
"However, there is one more thing you must remember. This ring can only absorb mental magic, water magic, and wind magic energy. If it is sealed with other types of magic, do not attempt to use the ring to absorb it. That would expose you as a target to powerful magical beings. Earth elemental magic could turn you into stone instantly, and the fate of being attacked by fire elemental magic, I don't need to explain, do I?"
Ivan nodded silently, fully aware of the importance and danger of the ring.
"How will I know which type of magic it is?" Ivan asked.
The old man smiled and said, "We magicians can directly see the gathered magical elements, but you cannot. Ordinary people cannot sense them, you can only perceive magical elements through the ring I gave you."
"When you are close to those magical objects, the ring will emit a faint light. Red light represents fire, yellow light represents earth, green light represents wind, blue light represents water, black light... don't think I'm joking, if you're unlucky, you might see black light, which is a sign of dark magic."
Ivan shuddered, feeling the power and danger of these magical elements.
"White light represents divine magic, purple light represents mental magic. Besides these, if the ring emits any other color of light, it is a very dangerous sign, and you should stay away as much as possible."
"I understand, only green light, blue light, and purple light can be absorbed. I won't touch it if it's any other color, is that right?" Ivan asked.
The old man nodded, "Yes, never touch it. Even in his time, the great mage Kemirtedi was an extremely dangerous individual."
"What type of light does lightning magic emit?" Ivan asked.
"Summoning lightning, which gathers lightning spirits. Lightning spirits are a type of wind elemental, so rest assured, this ring can fully absorb it."
"So, I won't have to fear lightning in the future, right?" Ivan said excitedly.
"If you are fast enough to rotate the face of the ring three times at the moment the lightning strikes, then indeed, you will no longer have to fear lightning," the old magician said with a smile.
Ivan shook his head after hearing this, knowing it was simply impossible.
"Teacher, do you know how long this storm will last?" Ivan asked.
The old man said, "It will end in half an hour, but if you plan to leave, it's best to wait until evening when the rainwater on the treetops has almost evaporated." The old man continued, "During this time, if you're interested, you can come to my study."
There is nothing that excites Ivan more than acquiring new knowledge.
Upon returning to the ground with the old magician, Ivan eagerly inquired about the uses of the instruments on the table.
In Ivan's impression, magicians are beings close to gods, possessing magical powers to control the elements, fly freely in the sky, and even cause volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
The old magician, accustomed to the prejudices of ordinary people, explained, "Magicians are simply special scholars, different from regular scholars. Magicians must have talent, and those fortunate enough to possess this talent are few, hence the scarcity of magicians. You are one of those gifted individuals.
"When I asked you to come up by yourself earlier, it was to test if you had such talent. Only those whose mental strength surpasses that of ordinary people and can quickly channel magical energy through their bodies can fly to the top of the tower.
"Magicians are not as powerful as ordinary people imagine. Each magician is quite powerful in their respective field. For example, a magician skilled in manipulating fire elements can easily turn a small spark into an uncontrollable blaze, incinerate a forest in a short time, and even create a firestorm within a radius of several dozen miles. These firestorms rain down, igniting fabrics, blankets, trees, and houses, allowing such a magician to destroy everything people have painstakingly built over centuries.
"A magician adept at controlling wind can soar in the sky on a lightweight winged airship, while a water magic specialist is even more formidable. A drop of venom can claim the lives of hundreds, manipulating clouds and mist to bring down harsh weather or cut off water sources, leaving a piece of land without rain for months. They are more terrifying than any army.
"A magician skilled in manipulating earth elements can stir up sandstorms, more fearsome than clouds and mist, and make a piece of land only grow weeds, rendering it unable to produce crops. Creating quicksand and swamps is their specialty.
"However, the most dangerous among all magicians are those proficient in mental magic. They can control a person's consciousness through magic, though not yet manipulate their actions. They can see the secrets hidden deep within you through magic and unknowingly turn you into their eyes and ears, making everything you see and hear known to them.
"Within their control, no one's actions go unnoticed. If they wish, they can easily find a mouse hidden deep underground."
The old man's voice carried a weight of wisdom as he continued, "There is another breed of magicians, whose talents should be classified among the ranks of mental magicians. However, they do not manipulate humans but rather lowly animals or even demonic creatures. These enigmatic individuals are known as 'summoners.'
"These summoners are shrouded in mystery, their powers veiled in secrecy. Behind them may lie a legion of wolves or a monstrous beast from the depths of the underworld. Their watchful gaze misses no detail, akin to a keen-eyed hawk or a silent bat gliding through the night sky, gathering intelligence for their masters.
"Yet, even summoners are not the most fearsome among magicians. There exist outliers among magicians who dabble with the dead, known as 'necromancers.' Through the use of arcane elixirs, they reanimate lifeless corpses, replacing the deceased brain with an artificial magical device. These mindless, fearless, obedient zombies are the result.
"The eerie mist crafted from the ashes of reptiles and decaying brains appears no different from ordinary fog. However, it is composed of countless minuscule insects, invisible to the naked eye. These insects can suck blood and relay all they see to their master. Necromancers can manipulate not only zombies but also the bodies of various animals. Before the advent of stone giants, the creations of these necromancers stood as the world's most terrifying weapons.
"As for the most formidable of magicians, undoubtedly, it is the alchemists. Among them, the great archmage Kymirtdi once reigned supreme, acknowledged as the most powerful magician in the world. Alchemists possess the ability to transmute materials, creating items imbued with miraculous properties, deftly blending any magical element to achieve the desired effects.
"Each magician wields a wand, all crafted by our hands. We bestow power upon our fellow magicians. Another advantage of alchemists over their peers is that the creations we fashion can be utilized by ordinary individuals. Like the ring I bestowed upon you, it is a product of alchemy, just as the Francian Holy Knights, the Derrithian Storm Riders, and the Bloodthirsty Legion are all manifestations of alchemical prowess."
"Is it impossible to master all forms of magic?" Ivan inquired.
"To my knowledge, it is not only impossible but also unnecessary," the old man responded. "The realm of magical study is vast and boundless. Delving into one's chosen field is an endeavor without end. Moreover, magicians typically lack specific needs. You must understand that magicians are wealthier than any king; to us, even the most precious gem is merely a suitable mineral.
"For us, unearthing a priceless gem is only slightly more challenging than mining coal, as coal is abundant while gem mines are often remote. Therefore, most of us focus on our individual research. Personally, I do not find the ability to conjure 'rain of fire' or soar through the skies particularly remarkable. I can disperse seeds of fire using the mechanical bird I created. Though inconvenient, as you have witnessed, I too can take flight. Furthermore, as is widely known, the most perfect flying vessel is the airship invented by Kymirtdi."
Pausing for a moment, the old magician continued, "While we do not seek mastery in all aspects, learning from one another is a common practice among us magicians. We often gather to share our discoveries, as these findings may hold significant importance for our peers."
"Respected teacher, how much time and dedication would it take for me to harness formidable magical abilities?" Ivan inquired, his eyes filled with curiosity and determination.
The old man's voice resonated with wisdom as he gently corrected, "Powerful? No, no, no, my child, you have it all wrong. For a magician, what truly matters is the ability to deftly manipulate magic and wield it effectively. Strength is not our pursuit, and magical prowess alone does not define a magician's true power. It is how you apply your magic that truly matters.
"If you can memorize the properties of hundreds of potions and an equal number of diverse formulas down to the last detail, that would be far more valuable than possessing the raw magical energy to summon a few mid-level spells. Remember, the right magic can get you out of a predicament far better than a powerful spell.
"For instance, imagine standing at the edge of a cliff with pursuers closing in from behind. What would be your best course of action? Would it be to unleash a powerful spell to obliterate your enemies? No, that would not be easy, nor is it something you could accomplish. Instead, you simply need to escape the cliff's edge and land safely without harm. This task is not difficult for you, with a bit of practice, you can achieve it with your current abilities..."
"Can I learn such miraculous magic?" Ivan asked eagerly. "Can you teach me?"
Seeing his student's eyes widen with reverence and anticipation, how could the old magician refuse?
He walked over to the western wall, retrieving several peculiarly shaped herbs from the cupboards and a clean copper pot from under the table.
The old magician busied himself, while Ivan carefully assisted, grinding and mixing the herbs in a mortar, adding a type of fat derived from an unknown animal.
All these ingredients were thrown into the copper pot to simmer. The green flames licked the pot's darkened bottom, and the bubbling concoction inside emitted a faint hiss.
With a wand in hand, the old magician stood beside the pot, occasionally gesturing with the wand towards the potion within.
"What are you doing?" Ivan inquired. Though he knew that interrupting the teacher at this moment might disrupt his spellcasting, curiosity triumphed over all, and he couldn't resist asking.
The old magician seemed unperturbed by the interruption and explained, "I am altering the properties of the potion. Alchemists can use their mental prowess to transform the appearance of substances, revealing unique abilities. This is what sets alchemists apart from mere potion-makers. The copper pot serves to concentrate this mental energy, while the wand allows us to better control the release of this power."
As the old magician spoke, the contents in the pot gradually transformed into a thick, sky-blue paste.
Scooping out the paste spoon by spoon, the old magician presented a box crafted from a single piece of jade, instructing Ivan to store the paste within.
Ivan gazed at the emerald-green jade box in wonder.
The whole piece of jade was carefully carved into a cylindrical shape, with a thickness of about one centimeter on the inner wall, and the bottom was even more solid. The top of the box was intricately carved with a circle of threads, and the lid was also made of this jade.
This box did not require a lock; simply covering the lid ensured that the ointment inside would not leak. Such a complete piece of jade was invaluable.
Ivan found it hard to imagine someone carving such a large piece of jade into a box. It seemed the old teacher was right—magicians were indeed wealthier than any king.
"Every night, you must apply this ointment to your body. It's best done before bed, and be careful not to use too much. A thin layer of skin can absorb it; using too much would be wasteful. Once the ointment is applied, your skin will easily gather wind elemental energy.
"Now, I will teach you how to meditate and the incantations you need to remember. When you recite the incantations, the sylphs will gently lift you. The faster you move, the greater the force lifting you. If you were to jump off a cliff, before falling three meters, the lifting force would equal your weight. When you land, at most, your feet may tingle, but you won't be harmed."
After explaining in detail the meditation techniques and incantations to Ivan, the old magician continued, as Ivan, a novice to magic, required thorough instruction.
It was almost sunset when Ivan had fully memorized the magic.
"In truth, this magic isn't particularly useful when you're still. You won't be able to gather sylphs without movement. But since you wish to learn, I will teach you. Besides, the ointment is beneficial; it enhances your ability to gather wind elemental energy swiftly. In my view, wind magic is the most practical.
"Oh, it's almost time. It's your turn to assist me. Your horse is outside; the Golden Butterfly will clean it for you." With a wave of his hand, the metallic butterfly fluttered out of the room once more.
"Ah, I almost forgot. Take this." The old magician rummaged through a drawer under the table, eventually retrieving a three-inch-long, one-inch-wide strip of cloth woven with gold thread, adorned with various peculiar symbols and characters.
"I crafted this a long time ago. It can seal most golems and puppets, except for stone giants. I fear Kymirtdi's treasure may be guarded by golems. He was the most powerful alchemist, and his golems are no ordinary creations. Take this, just in case. Remember, if you see strange statues near the treasure, do not touch it. Come back and inform me; I'll think of another solution," the old magician advised.
"How do I use this?" Ivan asked.
"Just stick it on. It's a precautionary measure, so the simpler, the better."
With all questions answered and no further instructions from the teacher, Ivan bid farewell and left the room.
Outside, his purebred horse remained tethered to a tree, now looking refreshed. Ivan untied the reins, mounted the horse, and rode towards Baron Long's estate. His heart was filled with peace, knowing he was now an apprentice to a magician.