William was puzzled. How had his mental power increased so significantly when he hadn't been cultivating at all lately?
Just then, a 'ding' sounded in his mind: "Host's mental power has entered the elementary stage. You can now learn any magic on your own." After that, the system went silent again.
So this is elementary mental power? Is this a system perk? It seems the system is somewhat useful. Does this mean I won't have to meditate every day to cultivate mental power? Will it just grow on its own?
Is this a benefit of having a soul much stronger than ordinary people? Or is it because of the system?
William felt the magical knowledge and spells in his mind and realized that as long as his mental power could control a magic spell, and he could understand and comprehend it, he could learn any level of magic without frustrating level restrictions.
Raising his hand, a ball of flame slowly appeared in his right palm. With a wave, the flame transformed into a fire ring half a meter in diameter. He maintained it for over ten minutes before feeling a slight fatigue.
Just days ago, as a low-level mage, he could only sustain such a magical flame for less than a minute before mental exhaustion. Now, after more than ten minutes, he only felt mildly tired, and he could probably continue for another fifteen minutes without much trouble.
This meant his mental power had increased exponentially.
It's so hot, and I'm a bit short of breath. William stopped the spell, quickly opened the window to breathe in the fresh air, and leaned against the window, contemplating how to use magic without being discovered.
If only I had Mystique's shapeshifting ability, I could take on any appearance and even mimic fingerprints. Then, even if discovered, no one would associate it with me.
Once I learn the Kamar-Taj portal spell, no one will be able to catch me. That's right, I'll learn the portal magic first—essential for escape and stealth!
Motivated, William closed the window and drew the curtains, focusing entirely on learning the portal spell.
His mind entered the system with the thought, "I want to learn the Kamar-Taj portal."
The magical knowledge of the portal imprinted itself in William's mind. He followed the system's method, learning step by step.
Perhaps being a soul transmigrator gave him a special affinity for spatial magic.
Soon, he was able to draw the magic circle of the portal in his dorm room. He set the teleportation destination to his dorm's bathroom, uncertain about setting it elsewhere.
Who knew who or what might be on the other side? After several attempts, William felt his mental power could pinpoint the dorm's bathroom. The magic circle in his hand opened, and he could see his bathroom from his bedside through the magical doorway.
Excited, and not thinking about potential dangers, William stepped through the portal into the bathroom.
Standing there, he marveled at his hands and surroundings: "Wow, this is amazing! I'm a genius! I already learned it?"
Who can catch me now? This is an essential skill for escape and travel!
William excitedly teleported between the bathroom and his bedside, turning his entire room into an experimental ground. He teleported to the desk, then to the wardrobe, opening the portal more than ten times until he felt mentally fatigued before stopping.
Sitting back on the bed, he meditated, and astonishingly, his mental power recovered in less than a minute. William truly felt like a magical genius now. In a fight, he could teleport to an enemy's side and unleash a barrage of attacks. If that didn't work, he'd cast powerful magic spells.
If he ran out of magic, he could retreat through a portal, wait a few seconds, then teleport back and launch another magical assault. Who could withstand that?
Moreover, Kamar-Taj also had defensive spells that could withstand even large sniper rifles, let alone ordinary ones. William was thrilled just thinking about it.
He also cultivated fire, ice, and nature magic, even discovering light magic: healing spells, light bullets, and resurrection spells. Resurrection spells? Such magic exists? This defies logic!
Without hesitation, William decided he must learn the resurrection spell. His mind entered the system, and he declared, "I want to learn the resurrection spell."
The system transmitted the resurrection spell's cultivation method. William read it once. "Damn, I knew it wouldn't be easy. Practicing isn't hard, but what's 'sacred faith'?" William wasn't religious, so what exactly was this 'sacred faith'?
Never mind, I'll just learn the resurrection spell for now. Who knows when it might come in handy.
Learning the resurrection spell but not being able to use it was frustrating. His mental power wasn't enough, and he lacked sacred faith. Forget it, no point in overthinking; more skills are always better.
Next, William practiced all the ice and fire magic spells. The system allowed for flexible spellcasting. As long as he mastered them and his mental power sufficed, he could shape his magic in any form.
He transformed ice magic into ice balls or dozens of ice needles. Ice magic continuously transformed in his hands: ice needles, ice spears, ice balls, ice roses.
Though fire and lightning magic couldn't become solid, they could also transform into various shapes in his palm.
Moreover, using magic had no side effects, only causing mental fatigue.
In the Kamar-Taj magic system, cultivating spatial magic also enhanced physical fitness. Kamar-Taj mages had high physical endurance and strong close-combat abilities, earning the title "close-combat mages."
William thought, "I need to move out. The dorm is too small, and I can't practice many spells. Plus, with so many people around, it's inconvenient."
After learning defensive spells, William decided to call it a night. He hadn't slept well in days. In modern society, danger was minimal, especially at university. England wasn't like America, where campus shootings happened, prompting teachers and students to carry guns.
William slept soundly, unaware that someone else wouldn't be sleeping tonight.
Alexander Hammer, a bright marketing student at the University of London, picked up 200 game discs from William's place at noon and hurried back to his neighborhood.
His community, in London Zone 2, was a middle-class area with tens of thousands of residents. Alexander returned home, had dinner, chatted with his mother, then headed to the community basketball court.
The bustling basketball court had dozens of courts filled with people playing. Though many were middle-aged, over 90% were teenagers.
Alexander, familiar with many in the community, brought his laptop and 20 game discs. He planned to gather acquaintances by the court and let them try Plants vs. Zombies to gauge interest.
Upon arriving, Alexander greeted acquaintances and searched the court until he found close friends.
"Hey, Alexander, what brings you here today? Aren't you usually at school?" they asked.
Alexander greeted his friends warmly. "Rick, I have a new game from a schoolmate. He's promoting it, and I think it's great. You know I study marketing. Each disc is only 6 pounds. I brought my laptop so you can try it."
"Wow, Alexander, you're already doing sales in your second year? Buddy, I support you! Let me see if the game's as fun as you say," Rick replied.
Alexander led Rick and others to the court's rest area. He set up the laptop and game, letting Rick try it.
Initially, Hammer's friends quietly tried the game, unfamiliar with it. But within half an hour, with Hammer's guidance, they began arguing over plant placements, their voices growing louder, attracting more friends.
After watching the game, many joined the debate.
"Rick, I told you to listen! You couldn't defend it, you scoundrel! It's my turn now; you've had it too long!" They argued over who would play next.
Alexander Hammer smiled as the argument drew a crowd. He quickly offered, "Hey, guys, I have game discs here, 6 pounds each. Why not buy one and play at home instead of fighting with Rick?"
A few agreed. They'd go crazy staying with Rick, who hogged the computer. It was better to buy a disc and play at home.
"Okay, Alexander, I'll take one."
"I want one too! I can't stand another minute with Rick; he's driving me crazy!"
One by one, they bought discs. Alexander's 20 discs sold out quickly. He rushed home for more. In under two hours, all 200 discs were gone, with many clamoring for more.
Alexander promised to bring more discs the next day, calming the crowd. Some even paid in advance. Those without money were frustrated, fearing no stock the next day.
Alexander arranged to bring discs to the rest area at 4 PM, perfect timing for middle school students after school.
Rick, meanwhile, realized everyone left. He stood and said, "Hey, Hammer, how was my performance? I told you I'm a genius actor! I annoyed them on purpose. If they want to play, they can buy a disc."
Hammer, surprised by Rick's acting, said, "Oh my god, Rick, you faked the whole time? Buddy, your acting skills fooled me! Thanks, Rick. Without you, not so many would've bought a disc to play at home. Everyone was furious with you!"
"So, Hammer, don't you think you owe me dinner? I sacrificed for your success, buddy," Rick teased.
"No problem, let's go, buddy. I'll treat you to a big meal!" Hammer said, patting Rick's shoulder. The two left, chatting and laughing, heading to their "big meal," a local restaurant known for generous portions at a good price. Whenever they had something to celebrate, they'd go there, understanding each other's family situations.
After sending off a full-bellied Rick, Alexander Hammer returned home, elated. Seeing his mother, he exclaimed, "Mom, guess how much I made today?"
But instead of praise, his mother anxiously asked, "How did you make money, Alexander? You didn't do anything bad, did you?"