Chapter 140: Casting Components and Spell Materials

Sand, lime, and water.

The recipe sounds familiar, doesn't it? It is an early construction material, a low-quality version of cement. Many people fail to understand the distinction between "casting materials" and "spell materials." In the DVD, for truly complete spells, many casting materials are merely ordinary objects: a glass marble, a small scrap of iron, and so on. For instance, if a spiderweb is required, a bird feather will suffice. As for what Bourne just cast, the casting material was just a bit of clay and water. Pouring water into clay turns it into a pile of mud; that is the principle. Formulas and incantations are simply the means of turning existing principles into "miracles" through spell-casting structures.

Spell materials, on the other hand, are used during the experimental phase of a spell. A complete spell requires mental modeling, incantations, gestures, and casting materials. The latter three can become optional once a certain level of proficiency is reached, but mental modeling is mandatory. This part is also the most dangerous; modeling is much like circuitry. If you mess it up, you risk being "fried." Being reduced to a vegetable is a mild outcome; having one's head explode like a watermelon is quite common.

This is where the importance of spell materials becomes apparent. They can substitute for mental power to perform the modeling outside of the brain, so even if it "burns out," it does not affect the brain's nerves. The vast majority of materials capable of substituting for mental power in modeling possess extraordinary properties, which is why spell experimentation is notoriously expensive. Most extraordinary materials naturally contain magical patterns; not only can they simulate the operation of a spell, but they can also increase the completion rate of the spell's execution.

Of course, some casters, even when using spell materials to simulate a formula, still fail to grasp how the spell actually functions. They can only rely on carrying a supply of materials to perform a temporary construction, which is why some casters need to draw magic circles and arrange various materials on-site to cast a spell. Not everyone has a chip capable of deducing and simulating the operation of a formula. Most spells are experimented with using these extraordinary materials, and only after their feasibility is confirmed are they constructed using mental power. Divine spells are, of course, the exception; as long as you keep the deity happy, the spell is imprinted directly into your mind.

Because extraordinary materials come with built-in magical circuits, many spells are actually created inadvertently. As for "casting without materials," it is treated by many as a divine skill—though I am not sure when that hype began. "Material-less casting" is not about saving money; it simply bypasses certain standard mediums. When it comes to spell experimentation, extraordinary materials are still required. While convenient, material-less casting also increases the failure rate of the magic. Aside from the original creator of the spell, no subsequent learner can guarantee a successful cast every single time.

This brings us back to the spell completion rate mentioned earlier. If the instructor is at 100%, the learner might only have acquired 80%, leaving a 20% failure rate. In such cases, having a "casting material" medium can significantly guarantee the success of the cast.

It is an interesting spell, because anyone who thinks of it immediately knows it has a "sister" version.

[Spell Name Omitted]!

As soon as the casting concluded, Bourne immediately had his chip analyze and deduce the reverse formula. Although it was merely a reverse deduction of the principles, the completion rate of the formula was still only around 80%. However, when Bourne successfully cast it, the necessary casting materials flashed through his mind. With the precise casting materials identified, the success rate of the spell was even higher.

Bourne stood at the site of his previous casting, clutching the sand, lime, and water. Aside from Charles and the two other grandmasters, who watched Bourne with grave expressions, everyone else was curious about what he intended to do. As Bourne chanted the incantation, the fluctuations of the Weave were "triggered" once more. Leonard and the court mages looked at Bourne in disbelief, and then a scene even more astonishing unfolded before them.

"What is that?" a court mage asked in surprise.

They saw a blue ring composed of pure magic encircling Bourne, and soon, another ring of magic radiated from his body. Two "magic rings" made of pure mana hovered around Bourne as if they were alive.

"The Favor of the Goddess of Magic!?" Garret exclaimed in shock. "This kid is truly a genius! If he weren't already noticed by the Goddess of Magic, I would definitely drag him into the Church!"

Leonard glanced at him and cursed the idiot under his breath. The old elf also watched Bourne with surprise; he had no idea the boy was still hiding such a card up his sleeve.

"This is a Magic Halo!" Charles said slowly. "Legend has it that casters who possess this halo are favored by the Goddess of Magic, which is why it is also known as the Favor of the Goddess of Magic!"

"A Magic Halo?" Leonard pondered for a moment, then suddenly looked up in horror. "Is this the legendary Magic Halo of the 'Mylithar'?"

Hearing Leonard's hint, several of the court mages recalled something, and they looked at Bourne with utter disbelief. Charles said nothing, merely casting a glance at the old elf.

The old elf sighed slightly, his tone tinged with nostalgia and sorrow. "During the most glorious era of the Elves, the Mylithar was known as the City of a Thousand Towers! It was the center of magic and art for the entire continent, a holy land for all casters. Only casters who possessed the Magic Halo were qualified to become Tower Lords."

"It was the embodiment of a caster’s pursuit of the ultimate magic, unlike today, where casters only pursue destruction. After the Mylithar was destroyed in the war, it became rare to see anyone with a Magic Halo. I never expected to see it on Bourne today—and he has two! Even in those days, that was an extremely rare occurrence!"

Although the old elf spoke with some restraint, the court mages understood the staggering magical talent of Bourne Iolum. Just as everyone’s attention was fixed on the "Magic Rings" around Bourne, his spell was completed. The muddy pool that had been in front of him had turned into a flat, stone surface.

Now, everyone understood. Charles was stunned; honestly, if they hadn't already signed a contract, he might have felt a twinge of regret. The old elf stood rooted to the spot, stunned. A spell he had deemed useless had become priceless in the hands of someone else.

Lehman’s mind only registered three words: "We’re rich." The ranger was so excited he hugged him and jumped for joy.

"This kid is really a talent!" Garret cursed outright. Charles, meanwhile, looked at Bourne with a strange expression.

...

Bourne was "reluctantly" ejected by the Weave. He frowned secretly, "The price dropped way too fast!" Back then, he had at least four or five hours of enlightenment; the second time, he had nearly an hour. Now, he was kicked out after only ten minutes. Bourne guessed that if he entered a fourth time, he would be ejected in mere seconds.

Bourne opened his eyes and noticed that Garret and the court mages had already left.

"What's wrong?" Lehman asked, seeing Bourne silent.

"Nothing. Let's head back. Notify the brothers—there’s work to be done!" Bourne shook his head and smiled.

Lehman smiled bitterly. His boss was truly one for the mantra, "If it doesn't kill you, work yourself to death." The Lehman Chamber of Commerce had just stopped construction, and already there was a new job! But the boss was the boss; he went out to experiment with a spell and ended up negotiating another "business deal." This was another multi-million-scale project!

"So buying land and flipping property is this profitable," Lehman mused on the way back. "Especially with the boss’s two divine skills, building houses should be a breeze!"