Magic models are the foundation for mastering Magic!
Those were the words of the professor who taught the basic principles of Magic models during their very first class.
To cast a spell, one must first use Spiritual Power to construct the corresponding Magic model. Then, the model is used to channel Energy Particles, releasing them in a specific way to create what is known as Magic.
Simply put, a Magic model is like the CPU that converts Energy Particles into all sorts of spells.
But this "processor" is exceptionally precise and complex. The dense web of magical circuits and nodes is enough to make one's scalp tingle.
Even the simplest Zero-Circle Magic model is far more complex than a Will Rune.
Furthermore, every Magic model involves knowledge from several different courses.
Take Mage's Hand, for example. It involves the study of energy cycles and force-field energy conversion. To master Mage's Hand, one must first achieve a thorough understanding of both subjects.
This is why the time required for a Wizard Apprentice to learn a single spell is often measured in months.
—Of course, Pei Ze was an exception, a cheat code in the system!
With the Eye of Omniscience, he didn't need to painstakingly pore over thick tomes like other Wizard Apprentices. He could just have the Eye of Omniscience analyze the Magic model to master the spell directly, instantly comprehending all the related knowledge in the process.
About ten minutes later, Pei Ze arrived at the library in the academic district.
Compared to the previous library for ordinary students, this one, meant for Wizard Apprentices, was at least four or five times larger. The number of books was also staggering; a quick glance at the first floor alone suggested there were no fewer than a million volumes.
Numerous Wizard Apprentices in gray robes moved between the shelves, their footsteps nearly silent.
The reading area to the right was also filled with many Wizard Apprentices, their heads buried in their books.
Pei Ze found an empty seat in a corner and sat down. He then opened the book on Mage's Hand and began to read quickly.
To call it reading was an understatement; "scanning" would be more appropriate.
Thanks to the recording ability of his Eye of Omniscience, his reading speed was so fast that "ten lines at a glance" didn't even begin to describe it.
The rapid rustling of turning pages drew the gazes of several nearby students. When they saw what Pei Ze was doing—which looked more like merely flipping pages than reading—they all rolled their eyes in unison.
'What kind of guy is this, coming here just to show off!'
Little did they know that in less than ten minutes, Pei Ze had already committed the entire book's contents to memory.
'It's a shame I'm not a Wizard yet. Otherwise, I could just scan the entire book in an instant by projecting my Spiritual Power!'
After a brief lament, Pei Ze's expression grew serious as he silently commanded in his mind, 'Eye of Omniscience, begin analyzing the Mage's Hand model.'
[Task created. Beginning analysis of Mage's Hand model. Estimated time: 10 days]
Pei Ze nodded to himself.
'Mastering Mage's Hand in just 10 days... that speed is already far beyond most Wizard Apprentices.'
'Even the top geniuses at the head of the class couldn't possibly be faster than me!'
'Besides, I can always consume Spirit later to speed up the process.'
Composing himself, Pei Ze then continued to 'read' the Magic model for the Dizziness Technique.
A moment later, another task appeared on his panel.
[Task 3: Analyze Dizziness Technique model. Estimated time remaining: 10 days]
'That makes three tasks now.'
Pei Ze nodded in satisfaction.
He had experimented before; the Eye of Omniscience could handle a maximum of three tasks simultaneously.
Any more than that would affect the overall analysis speed and extend the time required.
'I wonder if the number of simultaneous analysis tasks will increase once I become a Wizard?'
A flash of anticipation crossed Pei Ze's eyes.
'If I could run more than ten tasks at once, the speed of my power growth would be astonishing.'
'Just thinking about it is exciting!'
However, becoming a Wizard was still a distant goal for the current Pei Ze. He shook his head to clear it of such thoughts, put away his books, and stood up to walk toward the main entrance.
At the same time, on the second floor of the library, two young men were conversing in low voices from a spot with a clear view of Pei Ze.
"Cheng Li, isn't that Pei Ze from your class?" Wei Ming asked with great interest.
Cheng Li glanced at Pei Ze and gave a slight nod. "Yes, that's him."
"I didn't expect him to have advanced to Wizard Apprentice too!"
Wei Ming's eyes lit up, and his expression grew eager.
"I heard he's an incredible student, always gets perfect scores on class tests. A lot of the professors really admire him. Once a person like that becomes a Wizard Apprentice, his future achievements are bound to be impressive. Are you close with him? How about you introduce us?"
Cheng Li shook his head. "I've barely spoken a few words to him."
Wei Ming was a little disappointed to hear that, but he quickly smiled and said, "That's fine. We're all students here. I'll find a chance to get to know him myself. It's never a bad thing to make more connections."
Cheng Li offered no comment, simply stating coolly, "If I were you, I wouldn't do that."
Wei Ming froze, confused. "Why not?"
Cheng Li replied nonchalantly, "He's from the Pei Family."
"The Pei Family? You mean *the* Pei Family from the Inner City!"
Wei Ming was shocked, but his surprise was immediately followed by a look of confusion.
"That can't be right. How could someone from the Pei Family only just now advance to Wizard Apprentice? Don't the scions of those great families just directly consume a Seed of Enlightenment to advance? Becoming a First-level Wizard Apprentice shouldn't even be a hurdle for them!"
"That's because he's a special case."
Cheng Li shrugged and recounted how Pei Ze had his inheritance seized and was then exiled to the Outer City.
After hearing the tale, realization dawned on Wei Ming. His gaze toward Pei Ze instantly filled with pity.
'So he's just some poor soul abandoned by his family. No wonder he's only just now become a Wizard Apprentice.'
Wait!
Something suddenly occurred to Wei Ming, and he hurriedly asked, "What's his relationship with Pei Shaoqi?"
Cheng Li said meaningfully, "More than half of the resources Pei Shaoqi used to advance to Second-level Wizard Apprentice came from the inheritance of Pei Ze's parents. What do you think their relationship is?"
Wei Ming gasped, and any thought of befriending Pei Ze instantly vanished.
'Are you kidding me!'
'There's no way I'm going to offend Pei Shaoqi for the sake of some guy like Pei Ze.'
'The former merely has some potential, but the latter is a top-three genius in the first year. He's widely recognized as having immense potential, a future Official Wizard for sure. He was even recruited into an elite society like the Shadow Serpent. It's obvious at a glance who is stronger!'
"Damn, I almost stepped in a huge pit. Good thing you warned me!" Wei Ming said, patting his chest with lingering fear.
Cheng Li chuckled, amused, and said calmly, "Relax. Pei Ze isn't even on Pei Shaoqi's radar. In Pei Shaoqi's eyes, he's just a small fry. As long as he doesn't do something stupid like provoke him, Pei Shaoqi would never lower himself to deal with him."
"That's true," Wei Ming agreed with a smile, but he prudently avoided any mention of his earlier intentions.
'It's better to be safe than sorry. Who knows when Pei Shaoqi might suddenly take a disliking to Pei Ze and decide to deal with him personally.'
'It's best to stay far away from troublesome people like that!'