Chapter 245: Prototype Spells and Derived Spells
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 245: Prototype Spells and Derived Spells
I had originally intended to spend more time with Sister Bai, but she had her own matters to attend to, and I had received a few private messages from Teacher Ji Niang.
In the end, I had no choice but to part ways with Sister Bai for now. After all, this was her final year of formal study at the academy. Although she claimed she wasn't in a hurry and could simply stay at the academy after graduation if need be, it was clear she was taking it very seriously.
A "Subject," huh... I really wondered what that was all about.
But more than that, I was curious about why Teacher Ji Niang wanted to see me. Could the rewards be ready for distribution already?
That would be incredibly fast.
"You're here. Good, take a seat," Ji Niang said casually from her office as she saw me push the door open.
"Yes, Teacher Ji Niang. Is there something you needed me for?" I asked.
"It's about the aftermath of the Exchange Competition, of course. It wasn't convenient to talk back at the Arena, but it's easier now." As she spoke, Ji Niang activated an Isolation Spell. Whenever she did this, it almost certainly involved the so-called Luck Script.
"Before we get to the main topic, let's have a little side chat. During the competition, I noticed you using some entirely new techniques with your spellbooks. They went completely beyond the intended scope of what a spellbook can do. What are your thoughts on those techniques?"
"My... thoughts?"
I asked in confusion, wondering why she was asking. Surely she wasn't going to compile this into some sort of academic paper for publication, was she? That seemed unlikely.
"Just speak freely. I noticed you haven't done any systematic research or progression in this area. I'm just curious what you call this ability, what your thought process was, and what you plan to do next."
"Uh... I just thought about magic modification for the spellbooks to achieve more effects and make them suitable for different environments... After all, while I seem to have many spellbooks, they're a bit of a mess, and in many situations, they aren't actually that useful..."
"Go on, it's fine. Just treat me as a listener. Tell me the mental journey of how you completed them. I must say, you've accomplished something quite remarkable, but I need to guide you toward the correct direction and concepts. To do that, I need to understand your thinking."
"I... I see... Then I'll be blunt. The techniques I've mastered are all general magic modifications for basic spellbooks. There are three in total. The first I named 'Floating'... it's that effect where the spell follows you after being cast. The second is 'Resonance,' which uses the spellbook to resonate with pure elements, and then uses those elements to resonate with things on the material plane. The third is 'Focusing,' a method of compressing an evocation spell into a single point for a concentrated explosion. It's meant for armor penetration—I used it against that Dwarf Holy Relic Shield."
"And you call these three techniques 'general techniques for basic evocation spells'?" Ji Niang asked, seeking confirmation.
"Yes. Theoretically, they should be applicable to all of them... I just haven't had the chance to try them all yet... Also, these techniques can be combined."
"I saw that. Floating and Focusing—a very creative idea," Ji Niang gave a fair assessment. "Anything else to add?"
"Uh... I found that the Resonance method is very effective within the Fire Rain Domain spell. I wanted to know: is it true that the higher the consumption of a spellbook, the higher its upper limit, and the more techniques like mine it can withstand?"
"It seems I underestimated you. You've already researched as far as the Fire Rain Domain? Your research certainly jumps around. However, I must correct you. Strictly speaking, that's not the case. It's the level of the spellbook that determines its upper limit, not its consumption. People usually link spellbook level with consumption limits, but that only applies to a portion of them."
Teacher Ji Niang shook her head and continued.
"When spellbooks were first introduced at the Witch Academy, there were no classifications like Basic, Medium, or Over-consumption. Those divisions were simple labels created by the earliest students to easily distinguish the value of spellbooks, and they've persisted to this day. Because they are convenient and easy to understand—and applicable in the vast majority of cases—we've temporarily accepted them. Students aren't Transcendents, nor do they have Spirit Vision of your caliber; they can't easily distinguish the internal structures and runes that actually determine a spellbook's strength."
"You should have noticed by now, right? Some spellbooks have low consumption but are extremely practical, while others have high consumption but only do very ordinary things."
"Yes, that's true," I nodded.
For example, Illusion Clone and Teleportation Summoning Spell were indeed powerful. On the other hand, Flesh Healing and the Elf Blessing had mediocre effects but extremely high consumption. Perhaps one could argue the high consumption was due to their "special" effects, but no matter how special they were, the effect was limited while the consumption was very real.
"It's good that you understand. If you want to learn the specific grading of spellbooks, you'll first need to master Runology. Only with that knowledge can you understand how the levels of spellbooks—which are composed of Ritual Runes—are actually divided."
"Anything else? If not, then it's time for your educational briefing."
"Um... nothing else for now."
I shook my head. I actually had many small, trivial questions, but they weren't urgent. Often, I didn't even realize I was confused until I encountered a specific situation. Since Teacher Ji Niang was offering to teach me, it would surely be new knowledge I hadn't touched yet. Naturally, that took priority. Perhaps understanding this new information would allow me to figure out the rest on my own?
Of course, it might also generate even more questions.
"Alright then." Ji Niang nodded and continued.
"Regarding the topic we just discussed—those techniques you've mastered, whether you call them magic modifications or something else—I need to provide you with a conceptual framework. That is: Prototype Spells and Derived Spells. The vast majority of spells in the world can be classified into these two categories. Quite self-explanatory, isn't it?"
"Yes, indeed," I agreed.
"These two types of spells further led to the development of Prototype Spellbooks and Derived Spellbooks."
"This is easy to understand. A Prototype Spellbook is a spellbook constructed using a Prototype Spell. The definition of a Prototype Spell is actually a bit messy—meaning no stable conclusion has been reached to this day—but the general idea is that it's the original spell prototype ever created, like the Fireball Spell."
"A Derived Spell, on the other hand, is a spell derived from a Prototype Spell. It is born from the prototype, yet independent of it. For example, your Fireball Spell using the Floating technique could be called a 'Mayfly Fireball Spell.' It is a Derived Spell of the Fireball Spell. That's why I said the techniques you've mastered have already moved beyond the scope of the original spellbook. If you mastered Real Editing Technology, you could directly create a powerful, independent Derived Spell outside of the Fireball Spell itself."
"I see..." With Teacher Ji Niang's clear explanation, the concept clicked. But then I thought of something else. "So, the spells I modified before could all be made into Derived Spells as well?"
"That's the wrong way to think about it. Your previous modifications were just minor tweaks. Modifying a Fireball Spell to improve mana conversion efficiency or casting multiple Fireball Spells—those are just techniques. This brings us to another concept: Extended Spells. An Extended Spell originates from a Prototype Spell but is not independent of it. Therefore, Extended Spells are still encompassed within the Prototype Spell."
"So an Extended Spell is still a Prototype Spell, right? It's just a different expression of it," I said as I reached an epiphany.
"Exactly. For instance, Fireball Spell, Fire Blade, and Burst Flame are all the same type of Prototype Spell. I believe you have spellbooks for both Fireball Spell and Burst Flame, right? Even though they are made into two different spellbooks with different consumption levels, they are both Prototype Spells. This is why I said the definition of a Prototype Spell is a bit blurry. Just understand the general idea."
Teacher Ji Niang patiently used examples to illustrate her point.
"So the techniques I stumbled upon actually touched upon the effects of spell derivation? It's just that I haven't mastered the ability of Real Editing, so I can't make the derived spells independent, right?"
"That's the gist of it." Ji Niang nodded. "Also, there's one more thing. You aren't just using those three techniques; you're trying to figure out a fourth one, aren't you?"
"Eh? You saw through that?" I scratched my head and asked with a smile.
"Didn't you throw away all your spellbooks just to try and grasp that technique under those conditions? Ordinary students might not have noticed, but the teachers were all watching. Do you have a lead on that Extended Spell yet?"
"Um... well, no. I don't have a clue yet. But I feel like it involves runes... I can't really rush it."
"You certainly can't. It involves much more than just runes. Let me ask you: for your fourth derivation, are you planning to attempt a Domain? Was your inspiration the Fire Rain Domain spell?"
"Eh? You can tell that too?" I was shocked.
"Of course. Your thoughts are completely reflected in your actions. I have to discourage you in advance: the concept of a 'Domain' is not something those below the Transcendent level can touch. Or rather, your source of inspiration, the Fire Rain Domain, isn't a true Domain either. If you blindly keep trying, you'll only end up with a poor imitation that misses the mark, and you'll develop preconceived notions that will hinder your path once you actually become a Transcendent."
"What? It's that serious?"
I was startled by Ji Niang's words, but I was equally shocked to hear that the Fire Rain Domain wasn't actually a Domain.
Then... the concept of a Domain must be even more advanced than I imagined. But it made sense; if just making it rain fire counted as a Domain, then if I created countless fireballs and made a "fireball rain," couldn't I call that a Domain too?
"It's more serious than you think. In short, put your research into Domains aside for now. If you're just looking for a method similar to a Domain, or a derivation, I won't stop you. The existence of the Fire Rain Domain spell proves the feasibility of a 'Derived Domain.' The Fire Rain Domain spell is also a Derived Spell—it's a derivation inspired by the concept of a 'Fire Rain Domain.'"
Because Domain-type spells sat right on the line between a true Domain and a non-Domain, they held immense value for researching and grasping the path to a true Domain. This was why Domain-type spells were so incredibly valuable, and why Lina had previously said they weren't toys for freshmen.
However, Ji Niang didn't intend to tell Xiao Han this. She felt Xiao Han didn't need that kind of revelation yet; once she reached that level herself, she would be able to figure it out.
Besides, telling her now would only highlight Ji Niang's own efforts. Aside from adding unnecessary pressure to the girl, it served no purpose, so she didn't bother mentioning it.
"Oh... I understand."
I nodded. Basically, she wanted me to make sure I didn't wander down the wrong path, but I could keep exploring—a warning that I was proceeding at my own risk.
"Good that you understand. Now, onto the main topic. You know what I mean, right?"
"Um... the Script? Luck?"
I looked at the Luck threads clinging to me. I seemed to have accidentally given one away to that little cat-girl. The thread from Yao Beijuan had been forcibly severed by me, and Archie seemed to have obtained his own, though the exact method was currently unknown...
"Exactly. This Exchange Competition was a gathering, a condensation, and a struggle for Luck. I told you this before."
"Yes."
"You ended up stepping into this whirlpool after all, but your performance was brilliant!"
"Well, I promised you I'd show no mercy, Teacher," I nodded.
Though during the process, I had still been soft-hearted enough to let many people go—like those cute cat-girls, or the elves that one time. I had passed up many opportunities for a total slaughter.
But overall, my behavior had followed the logic of "showing no mercy."
"You remembered. Yes, you were indeed impressive. In this competition, every academy sent freshmen. The power freshmen wield isn't very strong, so slaughter and suppression were bound to happen. I am very satisfied with your performance." Ji Niang smiled.
Satisfied was an understatement. This was simply too much like a Witch. If this were viewed on the scale of the Void, once Xiao Han entered the Void, all the Myriad Races would be in trouble, and the reputation of Witches in the Void would likely sink even lower.
"So... do you know what consequences you must bear now that you are in first place?"
"Uh... I don't... wait? First? Wasn't I second?"
"Tan Han was so demoralized after you left that she stopped grinding points. If you open the live stream, you'll see she's still in second place."
"De... demoralized? Wait, what?" I looked at Teacher Ji Niang in disbelief. Was Tan Han really the type to get demoralized? Or did she not listen to what I said? Had she just lost her drive?
Surely not?
She was a Child of Destiny, the protagonist of the Script. Even if she wasn't the only one anymore, she shouldn't have become so pathetic, right?
"I'm joking. That one strike of yours completely defeated Tan Han. She believes she's unworthy of being first, so you are the number one. Do you understand?"
"Uh... that girl Tan Han..."
"I don't care what you think. They're probably still having their tea party, or maybe it's over, but the competition isn't officially finished yet. Regardless, once everything concludes, you will be the undisputed number one. Do you know what that represents?"
"What?" I asked instinctively.
"Let me ask you again: what was the purpose of this competition?"
"To fight for Luck," I said, but then it clicked. "Wait, the Luck isn't going to be pinned on me, is it?"
"Bingo. The Luck will be attributed to the first-place winner. Not just the individual first place, but the academy first place as well. Back then, the other academies were afraid of Tan Han leading by a landslide in the individual rankings, so they created the Academy Leaderboard to divert the Luck. Even if Tan Han stood alone at the top, the Academy Leaderboard could still siphon off a portion of the Luck."
"But both the individual and academy first places belong to the Witch Academy now?" I interjected.
"Exactly. The Witch Academy is first on the Academy Leaderboard, and that portion of Luck will be attributed to the academy. With a little maneuvering, we can credit it to Tan Han. The problem now is that the individual Luck will be attributed to you. You are a specific individual; we can't just maneuver and transfer it to someone else, understand? And the most important point is that you aren't a Child of Destiny. You don't have a Luck Seed to carry the power of that Luck. You will become the center of the struggle for all the Children of Destiny! You're in big trouble, Xiao Han~"
"I... I... what?" I was completely stunned. I had been backstabbed by Tan Han and now I was in big trouble?
As expected, hanging around Tan Han just leads to endless trouble!
"But it's fine. You are a formal member of the Witch Academy. Be grateful; the other academies won't dare do anything to you. So, in an instant, you've gone from being a walking disaster to a prize that everyone wants to win over. Do you understand?"
"I don't understand," I said, looking blankly at Teacher Ji Niang. To Ji Niang, that look revealed a sense of "pure stupidity."
"If you don't understand, forget it. But for now, you are at most a vessel carrying Luck. You should know that your Luck has been siphoned off before, right? That cat-girl, and that little ex-girlfriend of yours. Though you really are heartless—she didn't manage to grab it before you yanked it back."
"Uh... you teachers know about all that..." I scratched my head, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Of course we know. But it's not your fault. Anyway, you need to know that while your personal Luck can't be maneuvered to someone else like the academy's Luck can, it can be taken away. Do you understand?"
"I know."
"Since you know that, you should understand what you need to do next, right?"
"Uh... do what?" I stared at Teacher Ji Niang with wide, confused eyes.
"It depends on whether you want to keep carrying this big trouble or throw it away. Luck isn't something an ordinary person can bear. While it brings many benefits, it comes with an equal or even greater price."
"Then how do I give it up?" I pressed.
"There are many ways. Losing, compromising, quitting, failing... but these all require a specific form, something like a confrontation match or an exchange competition. You can view this act as a ritual required to transfer Luck."
"Uh... I have to hold a confrontation match? That sounds like a hassle!"
"Don't limit yourself to those. But the scale must be large, the fame must be high, and the participation must be wide. Once those conditions are met, as long as you lose, all your previous efforts will be undone, your goal will be achieved, the Luck will be taken away, and there are no restrictions on the format of the competition."
"No restrictions?" I asked, puzzled.
"To use an absurd example: the Witch Academy helps you host a 'Rock-Paper-Scissors Exchange Tournament' in your name. If the hype is high enough, the gimmick is strong enough, many academies participate, the influence is widespread, and many Children of Destiny join—and they will instinctively gather for the Luck, or their teachers will make them join—then even an absurd format like a Rock-Paper-Scissors tournament would work. Now do you see how ridiculous it can be?"
"Huh?"