It seemed this was his true purpose all along. As the disciple and assistant of Master Roen, Yolanda had a great respect for this young man.
The two had been conversing for a while, but neither of them had mentioned the Grand Duke or the Pavlei family, which puzzled Yolanda. Given the close relationship between the Grand Duke and the master, recruiting a disciple should have been a simple matter. Why go through this roundabout process? It was truly puzzling!
In fact, this was also a point of confusion for Roen, but he didn't ask.
Roen pondered, "Have you studied magic before?"
Charlie understood his meaning, referring to the symbols of those spells.
"Two weeks ago, I learned three magic spells from Uncle Brian, but I still can't do the meditation to store magical power. Shall I demonstrate for you?"
With this, Charlie revealed the secret he had been planning for a long time. This was his true purpose - he needed an opportunity to perform in front of Master Roen.
Roen pondered, "You're not young anymore, starting to learn now. A bit late, isn't it?"
Charlie took out the Jordan wand, and under Yolanda's guidance, he went to the side of the magical puppet in the hall, which was a magical equipment that could accurately reflect the damage of magic.
Charlie gently raised his hand, muttering incantations, and a torrent of magic surged out from the crystal at the tip of the Jordan wand, rushing like the tide...
So fast!
Yolanda was stunned, her jaw dropping. She had been studying magic under Master Roen for six years and was now a junior-level mage. To reach the intermediate mage level and become qualified to take on disciples, she knew that her release of mana shield and arcane missiles would not be as fast as this young man.
"A first-level arcane missile in 0.7 seconds? Could it be fast casting?" Roen was slightly moved. He had never seen a disciple-stage mage master the technique of supermagic.
Then he saw the way Charlie played with the Flame Hand spell.
Yolanda's perception was shattered again. Although they were just the most basic first-level spells, who could make first-level magic look like that? Unheard of!
"Powerful soul! Incredibly strong spiritual power!" Roen muttered to himself in a voice only he could hear, then asked, "Charlie, have you ever tested your spiritual power?"
Shocked, Roen had revealed Charlie's identity.
Charlie gave an embarrassed smile and shook his head.
Roen didn't dwell on this, giving Yolanda a look, and she went to the side room to fetch a crystal ball.
Roen took the crystal and explained, "It's called the Nightmare Crystal, also known as the Soul Crystal. It will react significantly to spiritual power fluctuations. Hold it carefully, don't let it shatter, and cast the Flame Hand spell again."
Yolanda sensed that the master was unusually patient today. He didn't have so much patience with her when she was a disciple. Maybe it's because she's not a disciple anymore. Yolanda comforted herself, but still couldn't help feeling a twinge of jealousy.
Charlie did as instructed, holding the crystal in one hand and the Jordan wand in the other, casting the Flame Hand. An invisible force field radiated from his head, exuding a sense of pressure that seemed to restrain the body and make movement difficult.
Indeed, when controlling the variant "Flame Hand", Charlie had mobilized an extraordinary spiritual power beyond the ordinary. And this was the first time he had felt this power.
Yolanda activated her spiritual power to resist, barely dispersing that sense of restraint. This was a reaction to spiritual power suppression, a feeling usually only experienced when the master was casting. To feel it in front of a disciple - it was unbelievable!
Gradually, the crystal ball began to glow, with a gentle white light emanating from the core, captivating the eyes...
Magical power can be accumulated through meditation, and knowledge can be accumulated through continuous learning, but spiritual power is innate and an important indicator of a mage's potential.
On the reference card accompanying the Nightmare Crystal, the different light colors corresponded to different levels of potential: grayish-white, pale white, silver-white, faint gold, dark gold, and red-orange. The deeper the color, the greater the potential.
The pale white glow of the crystal in front of them indicated the potential of a future intermediate mage. This test result would already meet the admission requirements of the major magic academies in the country. Even Yolanda, Roen's assistant, only had a silver-white gift.
However, in front of the great mage Roen, this was not enough to move him. A mage of Roen's reputation in the Empire had seen all kinds of prodigies and geniuses. In Roen's understanding, someone who could play the Flame Hand to such a degree should not be limited to this.
Sure enough, the subsequent changes left Yolanda astonished.
The white light emanating from the Nightmare Crystal grew brighter and brighter, like a high-powered incandescent bulb, becoming as dazzling as the noonday sun, stinging the eyes and forcing Yolanda to close them tightly, covering them with her hands.
Roen touched his fingers to his eyes and cast a small spell, "Arcane Mirror", to avoid the embarrassment.
"Oh, my god..." Yolanda couldn't help but let out a long cry of exclamation. Even through her palms and closed eyelids, she could feel a blinding white in front of her, a light that seemed to pierce through everything, exerting tremendous pressure.
"Okay, that's enough." Roen stopped Charlie from continuing his actions.
Charlie dispersed the fire element and stopped his control. The light in the room gradually dimmed.
Crack!
A clear, crisp shattering sound was particularly distinct. Perhaps it had been overloaded, the light in the crystal ball faded, a series of cracks spreading from the top down, and the crystal split in two, a wisp of grayish-white mist rising and dissipating in the air, leaving only a faint, unpleasant odor.
Charlie was stunned and said awkwardly, "This... shouldn't be my fault, right?"
Yolanda hurriedly exclaimed, "Master, this..."
Roen couldn't help but smile at the corners of his mouth, waving his hand and saying, "It's just a Nightmare Crystal, no need to make a fuss."
Just a Nightmare Crystal?!
Yolanda's heart was galloping like a herd of wild horses. The treatment was indeed different for different people. Just last week, the master had warned him not to let his disciples use the Nightmare Crystal casually, as it had a limited lifespan, and a single crystal was not cheap.
Yolanda savored the sour feeling in her heart and asked, "Master, what's the situation? Why can't the standard talent card find a match?"
Roen smiled and said, "Because the standard talent cards are only used to measure normal people. For those who are not normal, special talent cards are used, and those things are not something you'll ever see."
Charlie could also hear that in simple terms, his talent was very powerful.
Roen was sparing with praise, so there must be some deep meaning behind it. Charlie didn't pursue it further. He had already shown his potential, and now it was up to the master to decide what to do with him.
Yolanda pressed on, "Master, can you tell me more? I'm curious, what usually happens when testing those who are not normal?"
Perhaps in a good mood, Roen patiently explained, "The general talent test uses a 'Smoke Crystal', which can only reflect the strength of spiritual power, but cannot reflect the affinity for elements.
The Nightmare Crystal is a more advanced gem, commonly used to make special magical equipment. In fact, using it as a test instrument is a waste, but it's the only thing that can test those exceptional talents. The Nightmare Crystal is not only more sensitive in its feedback of spiritual power, but it can also reflect the affinity for elements.
Like the friend of my master, who recently took on a new disciple. When he was tested, he emitted a ghostly green light, with a touch of deep blue, magnificent and dazzling.
This indicates that he has an affinity for nature and arcane elements, and his spiritual power has the potential to develop to the level of a ninth-rank mage, which is the peak of a great mage. If he advances further, he may even reach the tenth rank of a magic lord. When he comes of age, with some methods, he may well rise to an even higher level. He has a promising future ahead of him, a potential future magic grandmaster!"
Hearing this story, Charlie became interested and couldn't help but ask, "Master, what about me? What level do I belong to?"
Roen glanced at him and said seriously, "The white light means you are not affiliated with any element, which also means that in the process of learning magic, you will have to put in more effort compared to those with affinities.
Of course, every thing has its dual nature. Without elemental affinity, you also mean you are not subject to elemental weaknesses. You can learn any type of magic, and you won't be constrained by any type of mage."
You should know these common principles. Fire overcomes nature, nature overcomes earth, earth overcomes fire. Whether elemental affinity is good or bad, you'll have to experience it for yourself."
Charlie pressed on, "Then what about my spiritual power level? What level am I at?"
Roen restrained his smile and said solemnly, "Charlie, you must understand one truth - potential does not mean strength. Many geniuses indulge in the outstanding talent evaluation, either spoiled or lax, and in the end, some die prematurely, while others accomplish nothing as adults.
You are a smart person, you should be able to understand this principle. And your current situation is very precarious. Not to mention your family affairs, just look at your age. You should be sixteen this year, right?"
Charlie honestly answered, "Fifteen years and seven months."
Roen sighed, "Charlie, you've wasted a precious ten years! The Millennium Empire is not lacking in prodigy-like talents, especially in some ancient families. Their outstanding disciples start their rigorous training from the age of three or four, and by your age, they are already sixth-rank mages, just one step away from becoming great mages. Just think about it, what do you have to be proud of?"
These words were full of concern. Charlie could hear the expectations in them.
"I understand." Charlie nodded silently, tentatively asking, "So, Master, have you already agreed to take me as a disciple?"
Yolanda was stunned again. Wow! This guy is really not polite? He's already changed the term of address? Thinking about herself, her level of awareness is much stronger than hers!
Roen couldn't help but laugh, but then forced a stern expression and said, "One more step. Since you have a talent for plant cultivation, you need to help me complete a task. If you do it well, I'll agree to take you in. If you can't, you'll have to figure it out yourself."
Yes! Charlie secretly celebrated in his heart. His efforts had not been in vain. He had finally achieved his goal!
Charlie suppressed the joy in his heart and asked, "Okay, what is it?"
Roen pondered, "'Blood Demon Taro' is a very difficult plant to grow. It's very dangerous! Three gardeners have already died from its bites, and one herbalist was severely bitten.
But its value is very high. It is a rare plant that cannot be artificially cultivated, only found occasionally in the depths of the forest.
Its sap is a necessary ingredient for 'Corrosive Potion', its fruit is an important component of the 'Whisper Contract Potion', and its tubers, when dried and ground into powder, are an essential ingredient for a longevity medicine. The upper class of society is all searching for this plant now.
On the market, a fully mature Blood Demon Taro is worth around 5,000 gold coins. A taro over a meter tall is worth over 8,000 gold, and the price increases by 3,000 gold for every additional foot in height.
My teacher gave me two seeds, hoping that I could cultivate at least one Blood Demon Taro in my botanical garden. Now, I'm giving you this task.
Currently, Herbalist Karl is responsible for the care. If you have any questions, you can ask him. I hope you can find a suitable cultivation method."
Roen didn't tell him the real reason. The initiator of this task was at an unimaginably high level, and even Roen didn't know the details. He only knew that all the famous alchemists in the Millennium Empire had received the same task, because the Blood Demon Taro was a medicine prescribed by the Imperial Chief Physician, a life-saving drug. Whoever could complete this task would gain the friendship of a certain important figure, and this was something even his teacher had difficulty refusing.
It sounded like an extremely difficult task, but it seemed Charlie had no choice.
Charlie replied, "Okay, I'll do my best."