Seeing Mr. Evans's solemn expression, Anik, Laylia, and Hettie all nodded in confused agreement. Learning and casting apprentice-level magic required repeated analysis and practice—they knew this from personal experience. Now it seemed studying arcane fundamentals would be the same. So why did they have a vague, uneasy feeling?
"Mr. Evans, since this is your first time encountering these arcane texts, we won't disturb your studying. Once you've understood some of it, we can come ask you questions." Anik stood up and spoke politely. "We can use this time for Meditation and magical study."
There was nothing stopping Lucian from teaching them right now, but for a mage who had never encountered arcane theory to achieve a level of guidance after merely skimming the foundational texts on arcane and magical arts was truly inconceivable. Even legendary Archmages couldn't manage that. So, erring on the side of caution, Lucian smiled "amiably." "I should be able to guide you all by this time tomorrow." And besides, he had prepared a special gift for them.
"Tomorrow? Mr. Evans, you find these arcane books simple?" Laylia asked, surprised.
Lucian chose his words carefully. "I'll teach you what I understand today. From now on, it will be like this: I study and teach you simultaneously. Hehe, this also puts some pressure on my own learning."
"Then we thank you in advance, Mr. Evans," Hettie answered cheerfully. She herself struggled to read those books, so she wasn't worried at all that Mr. Evans would hold back her arcane studies. She took it upon herself to thank him on behalf of Anik and Laylia as well.
Watching the three apprentices return to their respective rooms for Meditation while the other apprentices split into two small discussion groups, Lucian finally felt the environment around him settle into a good learning atmosphere. He leaned back leisurely against the sofa and pulled out one of the arcane books Hettie had left behind.
"... We explore the world, striving to derive laws from phenomena. From these laws, we deduce other phenomena, and explain, construct, and create magic..."
"Your friend, Douglas."
"So it's a work by the great Archanist, Mr. Douglas. Hmm, the preface and the content are different from Sir Newton's versions." Lucian wasn't surprised by the appearance of calculus. Aside from the *Arcane* journal he'd seen at the Altor magical gatherings previously, which had mentioned it, the very fact that irregular lines and surfaces began appearing extensively in spell models starting from intermediate-level magic meant that pioneers would inevitably seek accurate mathematical methods for calculation—especially after the principles of magic were named Arcane Theory.
Lucian began studying the arcane book seriously. On the round table before him, a Feather Pen floated into the air, writing and sketching on a blank sheet of paper without being held, verifying the deductions within.
Compared to the similarly titled work on Earth, *Mathematical Principles of Arcane Philosophy*'s mathematical methods seemed more systematic and complete. The various symbols and conceptual definitions were remarkably clear and precise, making it relatively easy for Lucian to read.
Time flew by. It wasn't until the light coming through the window grew dim that Lucian realized he had even forgotten to eat lunch. This arcane masterpiece had built a bridge connecting the laws of the world, mathematical methods, and magic, finally allowing many of his existing knowledge bases to link with magic.
"If only my soul strength were sufficient. In a few days, after finishing this book and *Mapping from Magical Principles to Model Construction* and *The Symbolic Meaning of Constructed Geometric Shapes*, I could begin analyzing and constructing the spell models for second-circle, or even third-circle, spells. I really hope I can get that better Meditation technique Felipe mentioned, the kind previously used by high-level mages!" Lucian thought with some regret. Then, with no regard for dignity, he stretched languidly and stood up from the sofa.
"Good evening, Mr. Evans." In the living room, apprentices like Splinter and Katrina, seeing Lucian emerge from his studies, greeted him with reverence. Regardless of whether he had arcane foundations or was worthy of being followed, his identity as a formal mage alone warranted this attitude.
Flames sprang to life in Lucian's hand, incinerating the scratch paper he had used for deductions and analysis. He nodded. "Where is dinner served?"
"In the first-floor dining room," Katrina replied respectfully. Mr. Evans had studied continuously for nearly a day and used so much paper for calculations. Just that diligent and serious attitude alone commanded respect. She wanted to be as hardworking and dedicated as him, to become a formal mage as soon as possible. Then she could help her parents out of the difficult situation they had been in for so long.
..........
In the dining room.
"Lucian, I've heard about your diligence and hard work. No wonder you were able to become a formal mage before the age of twenty, even while studying ancient magic. If, after you become an intermediate mage, you show a decent proficiency in Shadow and light, I will consider inviting you to be one of my assistants." Astal expressed the praise of a senior on the path of magic. The latter part was just an ancillary form of compliment, not a real promise. Leaving aside the difficulty of becoming an intermediate mage, the number of intermediate mages in the entire Magic Parliament whose proficiency in Shadow and light research even he considered decent could be counted on one hand.
Beside him, Mercy the cat sat perched on the dining table with her tail held high, a white napkin tied around her fluffy neck, engaged in a fierce battle with a fried fish. She occasionally let out a meow and brushed her tail against Astal.
Lucian smiled. "Thank you for your praise, Mr. Astal. Having just begun my study of Arcane Theory, I can only make up for my lack of time with diligence and hard work."
"Your attitude is truly satisfactory. However," Astal's tone shifted, "don't study blindly, Lucian. *Mathematical Principles of Arcane Philosophy* and calculus, that mathematical method, are content only formal mages—well, I mean mages with an Archanist rank—need to study. What you should be reading now are other foundational arcane and magical texts, plus a copy of *Compendium of Magical Creatures*."