Learning Scroll—a scroll crafted from specially treated parchment and enchanted ink, designed to slow the casting process and reveal the step-by-step workings of Magic Power.
The assistant brought a Learning Scroll for [Magic Detection] and led Rorschach to a practice room on the Guild's top floor. He then took the sealed letter tube and departed.
The practice room was also windowless. Its walls were built from northern Cyan Square Stone and inscribed with a Protective Array. It didn't require any additional charge; it simply absorbed the stray Magic Power from a practitioner's casting to activate a weak protective and soundproofing effect.
'A pretty nice place.'
Rorschach channeled his Magic Power into the Scroll, and its inscribed patterns gradually began to glow. His proficiency with Magic Concentration proved extremely useful. He could now perceive the flow of Magic Power even while infusing it slowly. This meant he could effectively get two "playthroughs" of [Magic Detection] from the charging and releasing of a single Scroll.
There was a very practical reason for Rorschach's specialization in the [Fireball Skill] back at the academy:
Even with the royal subsidies at the academy, a Learning Scroll for a Basic Level Spell cost ten Golden Eagle Yuan at minimum. This was far beyond what Rorschach could afford, so he could only seize opportunities to learn during his teacher's classroom demonstrations or by consulting Teacher Caroline.
Meanwhile, Apprentices from the families of the Nobility or wealthy merchants could simply buy a Learning Scroll after class if they failed to master a new Magic spell during the lesson.
'Didn't learn it? Just buy another one!'
So, in reality, during the Apprentice and Basic Level Mage stages, paying to win really did make you stronger. Or rather, if you didn't pay, you'd end up just like the original Rorschach—stuck mastering only a handful of spells you had the best affinity for.
Rorschach had learned from the captain of the special defense force that he had two tails. They were likely sent by the Mechanical Director to both protect and surveil him.
He needed to master a detection-type spell, and the Magic Guild had the most comprehensive selection of Learning Scrolls for sale.
Rorschach had another reason for coming to the Guild: his "panel," which had been "loading" ever since the battle in the Nameless River Valley, had finally unlocked. The number of slots for creating Magic had increased to a startling four. The Magic Guild was the perfect place to experiment with and practice new Magic.
[Magic Detection (White)] — "Magic Power Diffusion (White)" "Feedback Perception (White)"
The patterns on the Learning Scroll gradually faded and crumbled, and the parchment turned hard, brittle, and scorched. It had fulfilled its purpose. On the panel visible in Rorschach's mind, the new Magic had appeared.
[Magic Detection] was a simple and straightforward spell. Within the conical field of view created by the Magic Spray, all Magic Items, Magic Nodes, and Casters with high concentrations of endogenous Magic Power would appear as a "Spiritual Light." The detection could even penetrate thin walls and wooden doors.
'A little peek isn't cheating!'
He had unlocked the Magic, but that wasn't enough. Judging from his experience with the [Water Creation Skill], a white-level proficiency couldn't even guarantee a successful Casting.
Without hesitation, he dragged the new "term" into one of the panel's slots.
[Rorschach's Magic Spray (White)]
'What a terrible name… The effect is just as bad. It does exactly what it says: sprays Magic Power in a conical area. It's the kind of useless Magic you'd use if you thought your mana bar was too long.'
Rorschach frowned. His attempt to create Magic using the second term alone had failed. He thought for a moment, then combined "Feedback Perception (White)" with [Spell Hand].
This time, it was a success. [Rorschach's Qilin's Arm (Blue)]
'...This panel sure has a bizarre sense of humor.'
Rorschach specifically clicked to read the panel's description: "Rorschach's Qilin's Arm: This young man's Mage's Hand has surpassed the conventional limits of this Low Level Magic in both power and range. Now, with the final piece of the puzzle in place, the Qilin's Arm is born! This third hand is as powerful and nimble as the Qilin, a Divine Beast of the Far East!"
'Alright, fine.' Rorschach gave it a try. He found that the Qi... He still preferred to call it the [Mage's Arm]... was now perceptually indistinguishable from his real hands. As the "feedback" effect activated, his hand of Magic gained a sense of touch and became far more dexterous, as if he'd been born with it.
"It's somewhat useful…" As he brushed the invisible hand against the practice room wall, Rorschach could feel the texture of the stone.
"I can use this for scouting. Touch is another way to gather information…"
Repeated Casting brought a familiar, throbbing ache to Rorschach's temples. He took a deep breath, about to attempt a small, dangerous, but potentially significant experiment.
He already understood the side effect of using [Magic Power Drive] to forcefully absorb large amounts of ambient Magic Power: a temporary surge in power, followed by a prolonged coma.
'But what if I absorb Exogenous Magic Power bit by bit, in a careful, controlled manner? It wouldn't grant a burst of power for frenzied Casting, but it could at least extend my mana bar.'
He used [Magic Power Drive] to guide a slow infusion of Exogenous Magic Power into his body. His Spirit was instantly invigorated. Not only did the throbbing in his temples subside, but his earlier fatigue also lessened considerably, and his thoughts became noticeably faster.
'It's like I have my own Energy Gathering Ring! A Tier One stronger than a Tier Six... I mean, Tier Three Mage!'
Amid his excitement, Rorschach also felt a flicker of worry. 'If "magic addiction" is a thing in this world, I've really dug my own grave!'
"By the way, where is the director of this branch?" Rorschach suddenly asked before leaving the Magic Guild. The assistant had been the one to receive him the entire time; he hadn't seen the branch director at all.
The assistant's expression turned awkward. "As I mentioned before, our branch president and the Town Mage both attended a banquet on the night of the festival."
"When the incident with the ritual occurred, our branch president was already passed out from excessive drinking. As a result, he's under investigation for suspected dereliction of duty…"
Just then, Mr. Unuk emerged, his face flushed. It seemed he'd left the banquet early, unable to hold his liquor. Coincidentally, this meant he ran into the ritual incident and thus avoided being punished for dereliction of duty.
"If you don't mind my asking, who hosted the banquet?"
A look of disgust crossed the assistant's face. After the turbulent, catastrophic night, his emotions seemed to be closer to the surface.
"There's no harm in telling you. The banquet was hosted by our city's Governor. Other members of the Nobility and wealthy merchants were there too—all locals. They're a pack of vultures, entrenched in this fortress city of the Empire, yet they also maintain cozy, ambiguous ties with the Holy Kingdom…"
"Thank you for telling me, sir. I'd rather not know the rest."
"My apologies, Mr. Rorschach. My emotions are a bit out of control right now…"
"Thank you for your help, Mister Assistant. Goodbye!"
"Take care, Mr. Rorschach!"
Rorschach had one other important achievement: [Rorschach's Magic Detection]. Instead of "Magic Spray (White)," its first component was his familiar "Magic Concentration (Purple)." Although the detection range was shorter, Rorschach could control the Magic Concentration to envelop his entire body, giving him a small, omnidirectional field of detection with no blind spots.
However, the Magic Guild was filled with far too many Magic Items and other Magic Nodes. Rorschach had no desire to be blinded by a flood of Magic Auras.
By observing the Magic Guild within his field of view, Rorschach got a feel for the new Magic's effective range.
'One step, two steps... about three yards. The range doesn't feel very large…' Rorschach forced more of his Magic Power to condense and radiate outward, extending the radius to five yards.
And it was during this test that Rorschach noticed something amiss.