Back inside, Ur led Ethan straight into the study.
"Ethan… have you studied this magic before?" Ur finally asked after a moment's hesitation.
With her keen eyes, she could clearly tell that the technique Ethan had released earlier was no ordinary Ice Shock. Though the form was similar, the strength was on an entirely different level. It was as if the simple spell had been enhanced and transformed.
It was Ice Shock in name, but the effect had surpassed the original completely. To her, it looked like Ethan had optimized the spell into something far stronger.
That was why she couldn't help but question him.
Ethan had already anticipated the doubt. He had thought up his excuse even before Ur asked.
"Before? No, I've never studied it," Ethan replied smoothly. "I just glanced at the book you gave me and tried to imagine it in my mind. Then… it came out like that."
He tilted his head with an innocent look. "Why? Is there something wrong with the way I cast it?"
"N-no… no problem." Ur's words stumbled slightly.
It wasn't that there was an issue it was that the shock she felt was overwhelming.
With just one glance at a magic book, Ethan had not only grasped the spell, but even refined it to be stronger than the original.
What did this mean?
It meant that Ethan wasn't simply talented. He was a genius. A super genius.
Even with her own mastery of Ice Magic, Ur couldn't help but feel a trace of awe.
After thinking for a moment, she decided she had to test him further. Was his talent truly as frightening as it seemed?
Ur turned to the bookshelf at her side, pulling down another thick tome. She set it in front of Ethan, her eyes gleaming with expectation.
"Look at this spell. Try it. See if you can control it."
If Ethan really was the genius she believed him to be, then she had found a true treasure. She didn't crave fame, but what master wouldn't be proud to have a disciple with such brilliance?
"Alright. I'll try my best."
Ethan nodded and opened the book, flipping through the pages carefully, his expression serious.
On the surface, he looked every bit the earnest student absorbed in study.
In truth, Ethan's heart was already linked with the system.
"Ding! Host has extracted low-level magic: Ice Shield."
"Beginning immortal art exchange…"
"Ding! Exchange successful. Congratulations to the host for obtaining a low-level immortal art: Cold Ring Shield."
[Cold Ring Shield]: A low-level immortal art that forms a durable crystal ice shield to block attacks. After the shield is shattered, it erupts into a wide blast of bone-chilling wind. The size and strength of the shield can be expanded based on the host's infused magic power.
This was a defensive-type immortal art!
Ethan finally had a true defensive method.
Moreover, the technique didn't just block damage. Even after being broken, it could counterattack by unleashing its freezing gale, making it practical both for defense and offense.
After mastering this new immortal art, Ethan once again felt the total amount of magic power in his body rise.
Now that he had a larger pool of magic power, he could sustain even more immortal techniques.
Still, despite having already exchanged and mastered the art through the system, Ethan deliberately flipped through the entire book carefully. When he finished, he even closed his eyes, pretending to "contemplate deeply," making sure not to expose the truth.
After several moments of fake reflection, Ethan opened his eyes.
"Did you… already grasp it?" Ur asked, unable to hide the trace of shock in her voice.
Looking a little "embarrassed," Ethan nodded.
"Hiss… Are you certain? You don't want to look at it again?" Ur drew in a breath of cold air.
"I feel like I've grasped it," Ethan replied, scratching his cheek as if hesitant. "Though, compared to what was written in the book, my casting feels a little different."
Before he could say more, Ur grabbed his arm without hesitation.
"Come. Let's test it outside!"
Pulled along, Ethan followed her into the open courtyard.
At Ur's signal, he raised his hands, gathering magic power.
With a wave, the energy condensed into a towering ice shield, three meters tall, gleaming faintly under the pale light.
With a deep breath, Ethan poured his magic into the technique.
In a flash, a light-blue ice shield, two meters wide and half a meter thick, materialized before him.
Its surface gleamed faintly under the moonlight, like a wall of crystal forged from pure winter itself.
Ur's eyes widened slightly as she inspected it.
Is this really the same Ice Shield I know? she thought.
Her heart was filled with a reluctant awe. No matter how she looked at it, Ethan hadn't simply reproduced the spell he had improved it, strengthened it beyond its original form.
"Ethan, step back," Ur said suddenly, her expression sharpening.
Ethan immediately obeyed, retreating a few paces.
He quickly realized what she intended.
Ur raised her right fist and slammed it into her left palm. A terrifying surge of magic erupted from her body, pressure flooding the clearing like an icy storm.
She was going to test the true defensive power of Ethan's Cold Ring Shield.
Ethan's pulse quickened.
He knew that immortal arts were naturally superior to ordinary spells. Still, curiosity burned within him just how strong was this new defensive technique of his?