By the time dawn was approaching, Lucian had finally learned and become fairly proficient with five informal Arcane Magic spells through numerous experiments: Eye of Stars, Frost Ray, Spell of Light Ban, Mage's Hand, and Acid Splash. As for the Ring of Uncontrollable Force, which he had learned yesterday and had already attempted to cast without incantations, Lucian had managed to stabilize its casting time at around three seconds.
Comparing his progress with the Witch's own records, Lucian found that the speed at which he analyzed, learned, and mastered magic was somewhat startling. Excluding the Ring of Uncontrollable Force, which the Witch had not fully understood and had forced herself to wield, her specialty elemental spells — Acid Splash and Frost Ray — generally took three to four days, roughly twenty hours, and several hundred experiments plus casting practice to analyze and master. Lucian, on the other hand, had needed only five attempts for Acid Splash, seven for Frost Ray, and ten for Eye of Stars. Only the Spell of Light Ban, due to insufficient prior analysis and understanding, had required a full thirty attempts before he could wield it.
In Lucian's view, this was mainly because spell structures seemed to be built on mathematical models, combined with one's own understanding of a spell's construction process. Moreover, the model structures of informal spells were simply runic diagrams — comparable to elementary and middle school plane geometry, like drawing a hexagram. After spending some time reviewing the literature in the library, the analysis of most informal spells became remarkably straightforward.
As for his understanding of spell construction processes, Lucian likewise relied on his past knowledge — for example, conceptualizing Acid Splash as using sulfuric acid made from sulfur. But when it came to the Spell of Light Ban, he could no longer draw on his previous knowledge. He could only crudely reason that reversing the destruction of Luminous Grass's structure would cause it to actively absorb light rather than reflect it. The result wasn't exactly poor, but it wasn't great either, and it took many practice sessions before he could wield it reliably.
This led Lucian to reflect: "I can't rely too heavily on past knowledge. Magic in this world likely has its own unique characteristics. While some aspects can be combined with knowledge of physics and chemistry, the rest must be analyzed slowly on my own. After all, the elements and rules of this world are very likely not identical to those on Earth — similar in appearance yet fundamentally different. For instance, the precious materials the Witch recorded, such as mithril and adamantine. Or the question of why astrology can be used to divine fortune, destiny, and so on."
As for the Ring of Uncontrollable Force, since Lucian completely understood it as a spell involving gravitational force, he had been able to reduce its casting time to its current limit so quickly.
After spending ten minutes in quiet rest to recover his spiritual energy, Lucian began discreetly cleaning up the traces he had left behind — the corroded stone surfaces and the like.
"The power of informal Arcane Magic is indeed limited. Frost Ray can only kill an adult outright if it strikes a vital point like the heart or throat, causing cardiac arrest or suffocation. Otherwise, all three Frost Ray projectiles must hit their mark. If only one lands, the best it can do is cause severe frostbite, slowing the target's movements and thinking. Acid Splash, due to the concentration and strength of the acid, similarly requires a hit to a vital point." Lucian analyzed his apprentice-level spells with cool detachment, feeling remarkably little disappointment. Many spells may look weak, but as long as they were applied well, in the right situation and at the right moment, their effects could be just as astonishing.
After tidying up the evidence, Lucian stowed the casting materials in his pockets in a way that was both concealed and easily accessible. Then, instead of returning to the surface, he continued exploring the sewers in the direction of the outlet near the slum district.
This was because Lucian had reasoned that to find the Black Corpse Mushroom, he first needed to find a decomposing corpse. With the Church likely keeping the cemetery under covert surveillance, the sewers were the only place — apart from dead beasts and humans within the Melzer Black Forest — where he might have a realistic chance of finding one. After all, many of the paupers and beggars living here might not even have a burial shroud. Without friends or relatives nearby, it was entirely possible that someone could die quietly in the depths of the sewers without anyone ever knowing. Dead animals and rotting scraps of meat thrown into the sewers would be even more common.
The Witch had also explored the sewers — initially in search of the Black Corpse Mushroom, and later to trace the origin of the red-eyed rats — but had never encountered any danger. That was why Lucian dared to explore this section of the sewer system first.
…………
Lucian spread out his spiritual energy, faintly sensing his surroundings as he moved cautiously through the sewers.
Over the past twenty-odd minutes, he had already explored several locations and discovered three decomposing corpses — two rats and a strange jelly-like animal — but unfortunately none of them had Black Corpse Mushroom growing on them.
Turning a corner, the space before him suddenly opened up, and he finally spotted beggars living in the sewers.
This section of the sewer was very wide. Down the center flowed a dark river, quiet and sluggish, carrying bits of trash. It would continue all the way to the outlet and empty into the River Belen. Along the stone walkways on either side sat rows of broken clay pots, tattered rags, and other belongings. Several beggars, their clothes so ragged that much of their skin was exposed, were gathered on one of the walkways, apparently occupied with something.
Lucian saw that they were merely beggars and saw no reason to avoid them. Since he had already been spotted, he walked forward with steady steps, intending to cross via the walkway on the other side.
"Young man, the sewers are no place for someone like you. What's your business down here?" One of the beggars stepped forward — an old man who appeared to be in his sixties, with ribs jutting out and a gaunt, withered frame. Yet his voice sounded no older than forty.
No matter how worn, cheap, or poverty-revealing Lucian's linen short jacket might be, compared to these beggars, it was as fine as a nobleman's attire. At the very least, it wasn't tattered enough to expose most of his skin, and at the very least, it was clean. The old man recognized at a glance that Lucian was no "native" of the sewers.
Lucian smiled and replied, "I have a friend who lives in the sewers. I've come to find him." His tone was confident and his manner exuded an air of authority, as though he didn't consider these beggars worth his attention. In these lawless, lightless depths beneath the city, projecting an image of strength was the best way to keep the beggars' greed in check.
Behind the gaunt old man, several other beggars rose to their feet as well, their gazes fierce and covetous as they stared at Lucian. But Lucian met their stares without flinching, giving them a sweeping look that revealed his reasonably sturdy build and the dagger at his waist that glinted with a faint cold light.
They instinctively averted their eyes from his gaze.
Watching Lucian walk forward step by step, the gaunt old man suddenly chuckled: "Young man, you don't look like you're doing well, yet you carry a dagger. Sounds like you're mixed up in some rather shady business."
Lucian was somewhat surprised that the old man would continue conversing with him. After a moment's thought, he replied coldly, "That's none of your concern."
The gaunt old man gave a raspy laugh: "Either way, it's easy to see you're having a hard time. If a young man as hardworking and driven as you still can't afford white bread and beef every day, then surely it isn't your fault. The Church of Truth tells us that we are all the Lord's lambs — so why is it that nobles live in luxury, while the faithful poor among us cannot change our fate? We are all equally born into sin!"