The Cornflower Witch

Book 2: Chapter 224: Bird Rune Studies for Advanced Avian Magic

Vol 2 Chapter 224 Bird Rune Studies for Advanced Avian Magic

After the incident in the changing room, Sylutia's life returned to routine. Now she practiced and studied spell model construction at home in the mornings, then took accumulated questions to the Lighthouse in the afternoons to ask Nox for answers, and afterwards learned new things.

Lumen Spell

Sylutia silently recited the words in her mind, a small orb of light appearing to illuminate the surroundings. It was a very basic spell, but the difficulty was not as low as it seemed.

"Sphere·Charge·Emit Light·Stable·Float" — these five runes combined to form the model. On top of that, maintaining it for a long time and having the light orb follow the body as she moved all consumed mental energy.

Of course, there were many variants of such a spell. For example, replacing "Stable" with "Burst" would turn it into a Flash Spell. If "Emit Light" became "Burn," it would become Fireball Spell.

The flexibility of mage spells lay precisely in this.

After demonstrating the newly learned Lumen Spell and Flash Spell to Nox, the instructor nodded.

"Hedra, you can now grasp fundamental spell models quite easily. I will give you a book recording basic spells — it contains the forty-two common foundational spells. You can familiarize yourself with them over time."

"Now, I will teach you some special knowledge and techniques, rare in the outside world, part of my private collection.""You should have heard me say that I graduated early from the Hidden Grove's Whitebird School. Later I went to the Mage Alliance and joined the Bionics School there, specializing in the avian branch. Afterward I studied a lot of alchemy, machinery, carving, and runic inscription techniques."

"Due to oath restrictions, I cannot teach you the alchemy, machinery, or runic inscription knowledge, but as a mentor of the Bionics School I can pass on some spell models I developed and improved myself, along with advanced runes."

"You have already encountered spell models. Although your current models are still basic, you understand their meaning. As for advanced runes, they function similarly to basic runes but with stronger effects and usually greater difficulty."

"For example, with the common Fireball Spell, the most important rune is the 'Burn' rune."

"Beginners usually only insert one 'Burn' rune to form a Fireball Spell, but its power is then comparable to a candle. Skilled apprentices add three to five Burn runes in the spell model to increase burning speed and amplify the spell's power, though that consumes much more energy."

"However, no matter how many Burn runes you add, a Fireball Spell remains a Fireball Spell. Its temperature cap is around three hundred degrees Celsius; beyond that is difficult to raise. Afterward, you only end up increasing the flame's area."

"If you wish to learn the famed Third Tier spell Fire Sphere, you must incorporate 'Flame' runes to break the three-hundred-degree limit. The classic Fire Sphere spell model requires five 'Flame' runes arranged in a ring array to cycle and further amplify the spell's power — a mid-tier technique of spell modeling you will encounter later."

"'Flame' runes are the advanced, superior substitutes for the 'Burn' rune. By analogy, there are runes even higher than 'Flame.' From low to high they are 'Burn·Flame·Bright Flame·Blazing Flame·Extreme Flame.' To wield spells built with the 'Extreme Flame' rune, you must reach Seventh Tier and also pair it with the Scorching Sun aspect."

"The secrets of runes do not end there. Many schools master specific combinations, forming more powerful composite runes embedded into spell models."

"For example, combining 'Impact + Fortify·Charge' into a 'War Wagon' rune and embedding it in a spell model can be used for charge-collision spells, heavy hammer techniques, or brute-force smash spells."

"The Bionics School I joined excels at composite runes that imitate powerful animals, such as the 'Dire Wolf' rune for ripping wounds, the 'Serpentine' rune that makes spells hard to evade, and the 'Bird' rune that grants easier flight."

"The next Mage Alliance academy enrollment will be in three months. Considering the month you will spend traveling, that leaves you two months to study the secret techniques I treasure. During this time I will teach you with everything I have. How much you understand or memorize depends on your capability."

"I'll tell you part of it in advance: my specialty and proudest skill are avian runes and related spell models."

"Basic composite runes include 'Bird·Wing·Sharp Claw·Feather Edge.' Mid-tier ones include 'Swiftlet·Eagle Eye·Rapid Dive·Wind Wing.' High-tier ones include 'Light Falcon·Flame Wing·Soaring·Divine Wing.'"

"These runes can spawn nearly a hundred different spells with varying functions and effects. You are unlikely to master those high-tier spells now, but if you can memorize these runes, constructing complex, profound spell models later will become much easier."

After hearing the instructor's explanation, Sylutia's eyes filled with expectation. She also sensed that the teacher had painted a very tempting vision to speed up her learning.

Although she understood it as a provocation to spur her on, her insatiable desire for knowledge made her excited and eager.

Hm, it seems I must give everything for the next two months.

"I understand. I will study diligently during this period," Sylutia nodded in agreement.

Over the following days, Sylutia took out her saved gold coins and asked Rosalie to help purchase some herbs.

"What are you going to do with these? Wow, there's so many items listed," Rosalie said as she opened the list Sylutia had given her and exclaimed in surprise.

"I will use them to brew a special tea. It helps practice Secret Word aspect abilities and assists memory," Sylutia explained the purpose of the materials.

"That dedicated, Hedra." Rosalie stuck out her tongue, feeling perhaps too lazy and playful lately, especially since staying at her aunt's house without parental supervision. She realized she hadn't studied for a long time.

"Because time is short." Sylutia thought for a moment; it was not something she needed to hide.

"I will go to study at the Mage Alliance, and I must depart in about two months."

"Two months." Rosalie repeated under her breath, as if remembering something.

"I know. Leave it to me. I'll help you source and buy them." As the city lord's niece, she had access to channels broader than the Griffin Family's. If she spread a hint, some merchants might even give items for free to curry favor.

After about four days, Rosalie delivered the assembled herbs to Sylutia, though she made a small request.

"Hedra, Hedra — can you show me how you brew the tea or potion?" The girl looked curious and excited.

"Sure." The tea recipe was not unique either; it was a classic formula circulated from the Mage Alliance, known to many mages.

With Nox's permission, Sylutia took Rosalie to the Lighthouse laboratory and began brewing the Night Reflection Tea.

She expertly ground the herbs, boiled and filtered them, repeatedly adjusting proportions and adding ingredients. After a flurry of operations that left Rosalie dizzy, a special tea was placed on the table.

[Night Reflection Tea] (Second Tier·Secret Word): Restores mental energy, replenishes spirit, and enhances memory.

A faint aroma of tea — even by smelling it, the mind felt cleared and invigorated.