Chapter 150 - 149: This Class Can’t Continue

Chapter 150: Chapter 149: This Class Can’t Continue

The Magic Model of [Insect Swarm Spawn] was a standard ten-node Trick model.

Taking a few minutes to set up a coordinate system, Gaode converted the ten nodes into their corresponding 3D array coordinates. After spending a little more time to memorize these ten 3D arrays, he attempted to construct the [Insect Swarm Spawn] Magic Model.

***

As one of the three compulsory courses at Cyrus Academy, "Magic Application and Combat" was extremely rich in both content and format. The first few sessions were purely theoretical. Once the theory classes concluded, the venue shifted from the classroom to the outdoor Magic Experiment Field.

The Magic Experiment Field was established by the academy specifically for students and instructors to test their Magic Power. After all, the destructive power of magic was generally immense, often accompanied by various secondary effects, such as the corrosiveness of Acid Splash. If a dedicated area wasn’t set up for Mages to test their spells, letting them cast haphazardly anywhere would eventually result in the academy being torn down.

Naturally, the Magic Experiment Field was situated in the most secluded part of the academy, far away from the crowds to avoid disturbing others. It covered a massive area, enclosed by a ring of gray, solid granite walls painted with intricate Composite Runes. Having studied Rune Science for over a month, Gaode could recognize Level-0 basic Runes among them, such as "Solidify," "Gathering Magic," and "Isolate." These were meant to prevent certain Mages with questionable aim from blasting their spells out of bounds, and to stop the residual Magic Power of overly powerful Mages from spilling out of the field and accidentally injuring bystanders.

The Magic Experiment Field featured both a large public area and separate private rooms. The advantage of the large public area was its cheap usage fee, while the downside was that it had to be shared with others. This not only risked interruptions but also exposed the magic one had mastered. Most Mages placed extreme importance on the three major principles of Mages and were unwilling to have their magic exposed. Therefore, the expensive, relatively cramped private rooms were actually much more popular.

Of course, since it was a class, it could naturally only be held in the large public area. Furthermore, it was free. The cost of using the Magic Experiment Field was likely already included in the course fee.

The large public area was extremely spacious, roughly the size of a comprehensive track and field stadium from Gaode’s past life. In the very center of the field stood dozens of Trial Puppets manufactured by the Alchemy Department. Yes, these were Trial Puppets forged from the very Water Gold Ore mined during the new students’ enrollment tasks.

The puppets’ entire bodies bore the pale gold hue of Water Gold Ore, their surfaces carved with fine, intricate patterns. The eyes embedded on either side were black modules resembling electronic displays, but their surfaces were not entirely smooth; instead, they were covered in tiny Runes and grooves, serving an unknown purpose for now.

"For the same spell, it goes without saying that the difference in power is immense when cast by a Mage Apprentice versus a 1st Ring Mage. But even among Mages of the same level, there can still be massive disparities.

"One’s application, control, and understanding of magic can make the same spell function completely differently in the hands of different Mages.

"Mastering magic doesn’t mean merely constructing the Magic Model and calling it a day. The successful construction of a Magic Model is only the starting point of mastering a spell. How to actually apply it is a far more profound and enduring discipline."

Falon, the instructor for "Magic Application and Combat," spoke with such passion that spit flew from his mouth.

Gaode listened earnestly and found himself in total agreement. It was exactly like Tai Chi. In Zhang Sanfeng’s hands, a mere four ounces of force could deflect a thousand pounds—he could effortlessly take down whoever dared to challenge him, be it one or a pair. In the hands of an elderly grandpa at the park, however, it meant that if you dared to even touch him, you’d be forced to pay a thousand gold pieces in compensation. Of course, this analogy was somewhat extreme, but the logic remained the same.

"You all might not quite understand it yet, so let me give you an example." Seeing that everyone was listening attentively, Falon nodded in satisfaction. He decided to give a live demonstration to deepen the students’ impression, thereby ensuring they’d pay more attention during the upcoming practical exercises.

"Mage’s Hand should be a Trick that all of you have mastered." As he spoke, Falon had already begun Casting Mage’s Hand. He controlled the Mage’s Hand, bringing it closer to one of the Trial Puppets.

"As you know, in most situations, Mage’s Hand can substitute for our actual hands to manipulate, carry, or move objects. It is an extremely frequently used Trick.

"However, Mage’s Hand also has its limitations. First, it cannot carry objects weighing more than ten pounds.

"Naturally, this limit will increase as your Mage Level rises. For instance, my current Mage’s Hand can bear objects weighing over thirty pounds.

"The other limitation is that Mage’s Hand can only perform simple actions; it cannot execute complex commands.

"Yet this specific limitation can be overcome through practice, gradually breaking through as your understanding and control of the spell deepens.

"Watch closely."

Under the crowd’s watchful gaze, Falon manipulated the Mage’s Hand to work on the Trial Puppet’s chest. There were several metal components connected in a highly ingenious manner, allowing a thin shell—much like a crab’s carapace—to fit seamlessly over the puppet’s chest. What Falon intended to do right now was dismantle these metal parts. This task was not difficult, but it required extreme precision. Mage’s Hand could perform operations to a certain degree, but it was generally unequipped to handle such highly delicate work.

Yet, after a bit of effort, Falon actually managed to control the Mage’s Hand to successfully dismantle those metal components. Then, following his momentum, he removed the outer shell from the puppet’s chest, revealing a groove underneath. Inside the groove sat a Magic Crystal, though it had already turned gray, indicating that its Energy had been completely depleted.

Falon temporarily placed the metal components on the ground, then extracted the exhausted Magic Crystal from the groove. Immediately after, he controlled the Mage’s Hand to take a brand-new standard Magic Crystal from a nearby box and place it into the groove.

"The use of a Trial Puppet requires the consumption of a Magic Crystal for power." While demonstrating, Falon provided a brief introduction to the Trial Puppets. Seeing that the Magic Crystal was installed, he nodded in satisfaction and dispelled the Mage’s Hand. "Once you can use Mage’s Hand to swap out a Trial Puppet’s Magic Crystal just like I did, your mastery over it will have truly reached a proficient level."

"Of course, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll reach my level in a short amount of time, but don’t be discouraged." As he spoke, Falon swept his gaze across the faces of the students, finally stopping on one. "You, give it a try."

"Me?" Randomly picked by Falon, Gaode was a bit stunned.

"Yes, you. Use Mage’s Hand and try to replicate the operation I just performed." Falon nodded, pointing to another Trial Puppet nearby.

Letting a student personally experience it and then comparing their attempt to his own demonstration earlier was the best way to illustrate how "one’s application, control, and understanding of magic can make the same spell function completely differently in the hands of different Mages."

Gaode felt slightly put on the spot. After a brief hesitation, he nodded and stepped forward. With a thought, he triggered the [Mage’s Hand+] Magic Model within his Magic Star Sea, summoning the invisible Ghost Hand and moving it to the Trial Puppet’s chest.

Falon smiled faintly, already anticipating what would happen next. He subtly bent down, picked up the metal components from the ground, and used his own hands to reassemble them on the Trial Puppet’s chest. Compared to dismantling, reassembling was far more delicate. It was completely beyond the capabilities of Mage’s Hand, so he had to do it manually.

However, just as Falon secured the outer shell in place, he heard a crisp CLICK. That was the sound of the mechanism on the Trial Puppet’s chest unlatching... Wait, what?!

Falon’s eyes widened as he turned his head toward the source of the sound. It came from the exact Trial Puppet he had instructed Gaode to practice on. He saw that the outer shell on its chest had already been popped open.

Under Falon’s dumbfounded gaze, Gaode controlled the Mage’s Hand precisely as Falon had demonstrated earlier, extracting the depleted Magic Crystal and swapping it for a new one. Falon couldn’t help but wonder how Gaode had dismantled the Trial Puppet’s metal components, having missed the initial dismantling process because he was busy reassembling his own.

But Gaode wasn’t finished yet.

After swapping the Magic Crystal, he focused intently, controlling the Mage’s Hand to pick up the metal components temporarily set on the ground, and clumsily began to operate on the puppet’s chest. Reassembling was far more difficult than dismantling. Since Gaode wasn’t prepared to reveal that he actually possessed two Mage’s Hands, he could only manipulate a single one to perform the operation, making it quite strenuous.

Fortunately, after a good deal of effort, he painstakingly managed to secure the outer shell back onto the Trial Puppet’s chest. Seeing that everything was complete, Gaode let out a sigh of relief. He looked up, wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead, and finally snapped out of his intensely focused state.

"Instructor Falon, was that right?" he asked, looking at Falon.