Chapter 004 – The Art of the Turtle Shell Mage
...
The divination failed.
Matthew calmly put the crystal ball back into the cabinet.
This was normal.
He was a Necromancer and had no talent for divination.
Although he had always found time to dabble in divination over the years due to his love for it.
But the results were obviously not satisfactory.
After calming his emotions slightly.
Matthew finally arrived at the westernmost room in the basement.
There were two large bookshelves placed here, filled with magic books.
He was ready to learn some spells that were suitable for his current level--
...
Now Matthew was already an 8th level Necromancer.
But the spells in the list were still from the batch he learned and mastered at level 5.
It was time for an update.
In Rolling Stone Town.
It was not easy to buy a magic book that recorded the principles of spells.
Not to mention those related to the path of the undead.
Fortunately, Matthew was prepared.
He had always asked his friend in Baiyan City to help him purchase in advance.
In addition to the part given by Archmage Ronan.
The spell books in this room were enough to support Matthew's needs until he reached level 10.
His gaze swept back and forth between the layers of the bookshelf.
After a moment.
Matthew made a list of spells for himself.
These were the spells he planned to learn next.
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"Feign Death (Level 7 spell, allows feigning death and escaping);
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Last Dance (Level 8 spell, can detonate non-contracted summons);
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Vampire's Touch (Level 6 spell, can absorb life by touching others to heal oneself);
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Garcia's Armor II (Level 6 spell, an advanced version of the 2nd level spell 'Garcia's Armor I', physical defense);
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Thunderous Sword (Level 7 spell, enchants a longsword with thunderous effects);
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Enhanced Summoning (Level 8 spell, enhances the effect of undead summoning);
..."
...
Learning spells is not an easy task for most people.
Most mages spend almost half of their time studying and mastering spells.
The six spells mentioned above would take at least 10 months for other Necromancers of the same level to learn.
And that's under the condition of going all out.
But Matthew was different.
His speed of learning spells was inversely proportional to his talent for divination.
He was confident that he could finish it within 3 months.
...
"Next, I need to focus on learning spells. I'll have to ask for leave from the school..."
Matthew carried a stack of books and went to the meditation room.
It was close to midnight.
He felt a bit sleepy.
"Peggy, bring me a cup of coffee!"
No one responded.
So Matthew had to make a cup of black coffee himself.
The bitter and mellow taste instantly refreshed him.
"I feel energized..."
Matthew pouted.
He casually opened a thick book.
On the title page.
That mischievous magical text jumped out.
Dancing in front of Matthew's nose.
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"Garcia's Armor II: The Art of the Turtle Shell Mage
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Annotation: Garcia's self-deprecating level is as exquisite as his skills. I recommend that every mage learn the Garcia series of spells - Ronan"
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"Archmage Ronan... I hope his journey in the Star Realm goes smoothly."
Matthew smiled.
Archmage Ronan was the biggest benefactor he had met after crossing over.
When Matthew first crossed over, he was completely clueless about this world, except for the task of planting trees.
But planting trees also required money, land, and other resources.
Matthew wandered around Rolling Stone Town for a while, almost to the point of not being able to afford a meal.
At a critical moment.
It was Ronan, who happened to pass by, who helped him.
He invited Matthew to his home for a meal and asked why a practitioner studying the path of the undead did not go to Baiyan City for development, but wandered around a place like Rolling Stone Town with no future.
Matthew said he had average talent in the path of the undead and was not satisfied with stopping there, so he came up with a whimsical idea--
"The study of the path of the undead is about death and life, but most Necromancers seem to only care about death and not care about life. So I want to try a different perspective..."
"I plan to plant some trees near Rolling Stone Town, and hopefully, I can grow a forest. I want to feel the power of life through this action, which may help me break through in the path of the undead."
This was a lie Matthew made up just to get a few more meals.
Unexpectedly, these words aroused even greater interest from Ronan.
He expressed his admiration for Matthew's unconventional thinking.
Ronan told Matthew.
He could plant trees on his land.
And he would sponsor half of the cost of purchasing seeds and green liquid.
Matthew was pleasantly surprised.
But he still declined Ronan's kindness.
He planned to rely on his own strength to buy the seeds.
Ronan didn't mind either.
He immediately wrote a letter of recommendation, allowing Matthew to go to Westville Academy to teach the noble children in the town, and the subjects were up to Matthew to choose.
Since then.
Ronan had provided assistance to Matthew in various aspects such as life, work, and tree planting.
Even the house Matthew currently lived in was provided by Ronan.
Later, Matthew learned that half of the houses in the mage district belonged to Ronan.
The other half belonged to his wife.Rolling Stone Town is Ronan's hometown.
Although he spends most of his time living in Gem Bay.
But over the years, Rolling Stone Town has never had any major disasters or troubles, which is deeply related to him.
...
Ronan, the Archmage, has always been grateful to Matthew.
But he also knows the reason why the other party helped him.
It is impossible to rely solely on others.
He still needs to rely on his own strength to truly grow.
With this in mind, Matthew focused his attention.
And began to concentrate on studying spells.
...
The next day, during the day.
Matthew walked out of the security office, followed by two members of the guard unit. They carried the body of a merchant and came to the oak forest.
Matthew skillfully dug a hole and buried him, fulfilling the ghost's wish.
Of course.
Since he was here, Matthew didn't forget to plant three oak trees.
30 XP gained.
Matthew was satisfied.
...
In the afternoon.
Blade acted quickly.
He told Matthew that the underground cave had been investigated.
No other clues were found.
The cave is connected to seven or eight deep and dark tunnels, almost reaching any place in the Prospector Basin. Even the most skilled tracker can only scratch his head in this situation.
This confirms Matthew's judgment.
And proves that he was right not to recklessly investigate on his own.
As for the "Witch Hut" mentioned by the ghost.
Because that place has been in decline for many years and is far away in the mountains, it is highly dangerous. So Blade is still mobilizing manpower.
He promised Matthew that he would inform him as soon as there are new discoveries.
...
One week later, at night.
In the basement.
"Vs'Boo..."
A short incantation sounded.
Suddenly, a thick, translucent armor appeared on Matthew's body!
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"Your spell 'Garcia's Armor II' was successfully cast!
Your armor +8
Duration: 180 seconds"
...
Success!
Feeling the soft and elastic, all-encompassing wrapping sensation, Matthew was intoxicated.
That feeling is like being wrapped in a huge jelly.
Not heavy, but highly defensive.
"According to the 'Turtle Shell Mage', Garcia's Armor's biggest feature is that it can stack. I and II can provide 3 and 8 points of armor respectively, which is higher than ordinary heavy armor when combined!"
"No wonder he is called the Turtle Shell Mage, I like it!"
Just as Matthew was about to continue exploring the technique of stacking two spells.
Suddenly.
A vision appeared before his eyes.
At that moment.
He seemed to see a corner of the oak forest!
The vision disappeared in an instant.
Immediately, a surge of heat rushed to Matthew's mind.
Suddenly, he gained some knowledge in his mind!
...
"Your ability 'Nature's Gift' is in effect...
You have gained new abilities 'Appraisal' and 'Accounting'.
Appraisal: You can accurately estimate the value and price of most goods circulating in Swift Current City.
Accounting: You have mastered some financial knowledge, enough to handle basic accounting positions."
...
Appraisal?
Accounting?
Matthew looked puzzled.
"Does nature give gifts like this?"
He muttered to himself.
At this moment.
Matthew suddenly remembered.
The corner of the oak forest he just glimpsed seemed to be the place where he buried the merchant's body!
"I buried the body, and nature gave me some of his abilities?"
This speculation seemed absurd and even a bit scary.
But Matthew felt that it was highly likely to be true!
"Just by burying bodies, how many abilities can a forest give? Is there a limit to this gift? Will I receive negative abilities?"
Matthew stopped thinking further.
Everything still needs to be confirmed through practice.
He noticed that in the symbol in the task bar.
The green energy bar on the right had risen a lot again, and it was about to reach two-thirds of the position.
This should also be related to the 'gift' just now.
"No rush, take it slowly. Even if there is a shortcut to obtain gifts, I still need to be careful. I can't turn Ronan's land into a cemetery..."
Matthew's eyes flickered slightly.
"At this moment, you seem like an evil Necromancer."
At the entrance of the basement.
Peggy leaned against the wall with a charming posture.
Matthew ignored her coquettishness and asked, "Is dinner ready so early?"
Peggy shook her head.
"Bearded man is here. He seems to be anxious to see you."
...
At the gate.
"What? Sif has been kidnapped?"
Matthew was surprised.
Blade nodded hastily:
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"Don't make a fuss. I just received the news. The other party demanded a ransom, but Lord Ronan judged that they were just buying time to delay the rescue."
"Currently, the Blood Flag Family is secretly gathering manpower. I was originally leading the team to go to the Witch Hut, but had to return after receiving the urgent report... Of course, this is necessary. Nothing is more important than the safety of Miss Sif."
Blade concluded:
"I came here specifically to remind you to be safe. There may be more abnormalities happening next, but you don't have to worry about Miss Sif. Everyone will do their best."After speaking, he hurriedly left.
Matthew's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
Sif was the only daughter of the Blood Banner family in this generation.
She was also his student.
Just like Bianca.
The girls at Sifver Public School all liked Matthew.
Matthew remembered the last time he saw Sif.
The girl had earnestly told Matthew that she had written an anonymous letter to the city hall, recommending him for the Outstanding Citizen award, and the city hall officials had actually come to confirm it.
But in the blink of an eye.
Sif was actually kidnapped!
Kidnapping the only daughter of the Blood Banner family in Rolling Stone Town, wasn't this too outrageous?
The other party dared to do this.
Either it was a long-planned scheme.
Or they were simply mad!
A madman who couldn't even be deterred by the title of Archmage Ronan.
How insane would that be?
Matthew felt deeply uneasy for Sif.
Unfortunately, he had no clues about the kidnapper.
Divination was not his forte either.
He was probably unable to help.
...
After closing the door.
Matthew sighed softly.
From the kitchen came the voice of the Minotaur skeleton:
"Dinner's ready!"
Just as Matthew was about to go over.
Suddenly.
A flash of white light appeared before him.
A very flustered oak fairy rushed towards him!
"What's wrong?"
Matthew listened to the fairy's chirping complaints.
His expression became more and more serious.
"Someone set a fire?!"
"It's getting close to the oak forest?"
...