At present, aside from those first-circle spells with more complex models, Anvis can already instant-cast most other first-circle spells.The only reason he cast Wind Blade with chanting was simply to relive the feeling of verbal spellcasting.
Floating beside him, the spellbook automatically flipped open to the page where Wind Blade was recorded.The page glowed, and a blade of wind—identical to the previous one—materialized again.
This is the greatest advantage of spellbooks:the caster is completely freed from the process of guiding magic. As long as mana is supplied into the spellbook, a spell can be triggered quickly.The only limitation is that the spellbook has limited space, forcing the caster to choose which spells to record.And because of material limits, low-tier spellbooks cannot record spells that are too high in level.
Waving away the wind blade, Anvis began carefully sensing the changes brought by his advancement to the First Circle and the increased maturity of his bloodline.
His physical toughness and mana affinity had improved.His eyes now possessed constant Minor Mana Vision and Minor True Sight, as well as the innate talents originating from his two bloodlines—Ice Element Control and Light Element Control.
These abilities allowed Anvis to control ice and light as naturally as moving his own arms.When using spells of the corresponding element, he would also gain immense amplification—akin to having innate Maximized Spell effects.
At his thought, a block of clear, frigid ice rapidly condensed in midair.In the next moment, it reshaped into a delicate crystalline rose, its thin petals etched with fine patterns.It then transformed into a lifelike ice bird, circling around Anvis with nimble movements.Under his control, the hard ice shifted form like flowing water.
Thinking for a moment, Anvis maintained the ice bird's flight while attempting to manipulate the light around it.The bird flickered—and vanished entirely.Yet in Mana Vision, a twisted cluster of magic could still be seen circling him.
"Consumption increased fourfold."
Sensing the drain on his power, Anvis memorized the result.Running both innate talents at once put tremendous stress on his bloodline—almost half the total cost came from the implicit conflict between his two bloodlines.
After a brief round of testing, Anvis split off a thread of mental power and activated the Illusory Frost Domain model in his mind.His once-full mental power was instantly drained by a large portion.A faint white mist spread outward, covering a radius of thirty meters around him.
"The area expanded by nearly half, and mental consumption decreased by about thirty percent."
Examining the changes, Anvis cast Mage Hand, grabbed a Loru Beast from the test-animal area, and placed it within the field.He then used Silent Illusion to conjure a circular wall around the beast.
As the illusion formed, the faintly glowing frost mist naturally filled into it, making the illusion appear exceptionally realistic.Touching the wall, Anvis found—surprised—that its surface had the same rough texture as an actual stone wall.
The beast he summoned was an adult male—well-fed, with glossy brown fur and a white streak on its back. Its strength barely reached Second Circle.Confined by the illusionary walls, it sniffed around in confusion before finally lying down at the center.
Staring at the lazy Loru Beast, Anvis cast another Silent Illusion, creating a second Loru Beast illusion inside the enclosure.
"Hrrnn—hrrnn—"
The real beast stood up warily, staring at the illusion.Instincts drove it to posture defensively, growling.But soon, it lowered its aggression, approached the illusion, and gently nudged it with its nose.
Anvis made the illusion tilt its head slightly—as if acknowledging it—consuming another chunk of mental power.
The beast froze.Then continued nudging.The illusion remained still, which appeared to send the wrong signal to the beast.
It nudged again, sniffed in confusion, and circled the illusion twice.Finally, as if reaching a decision—it slowly moved behind the illusion and, seizing the "opportunity," leapt onto it.
Crack—!Unable to withstand the weight, the illusion shattered.The Loru Beast slammed into the ground with full force.
"Squee—!!"
Ouch. That must have hurt—its cry even changed pitch...
Watching the whole sequence, Anvis's expression darkened.Still, the reaction at least proved the strengthened illusion was realistic enough.
He cast Quick Heal to remove the beast's pain and tossed it back into its cage.
Looking at the frost-filled air around him, Anvis felt slightly dissatisfied.The faint white glow of the mist was far too eye-catching.It would be better if it were darker.
Sensing his will, the mist's glow dimmed—slowly fading until it resembled ordinary fog.
It actually darkened?!
Slightly startled, Anvis quickly understood that this must also be one of the modifications that came with the evolved spell.
At the same time, he sensed the trade-off:the diminished glow weakened the light-bending effect and reduced the amplification of illusion spells.
"So, Illusory Frost Domain underwent four changes in total:larger area, reduced mental consumption, stronger realism enhancement, and the ability to dim the originally glowing mist."As expected of an Initial Spell.
(lol and bruh)