Chapter-6: Spell difficulties

-One day later-

It's been 24 hours since I defeated the horned rabbit and I finally found a source of water.

After walking for God knows how long I reached a river. Its water is crystal clear and the vegetation around doesn't seem too dangerous, so I don't there is any poisonous plant around.

(Now that I found a river, I should build a shelter... Even if I don't sleep I need a place to stay when I practice magic through meditation and I just want a place to come back to, after my past life being a nomad just feel wrong.)

I think to myself as I look at the area I've chosen to house my home.

(I was never a very outgoing person and never got to go camping even once, all I know about it was learned through media, Tv shows, anime, and manga... Knowing how all these work, I probably have no reliable information to build something good... So my only option is to use magic.)

Having decided where I'll build my shelter, I face the reality that I don't know much about construction and how to make a proper tent or anything like that.

(I'm sure there is an earth spell that can help me, Sophia, do you have anything?)

"You really don't think ahead sometimes, do you? And yes there's a spell called <mold earth> that allows you to shape the dirt to your liking."(Sophia)

"What are the tier and difficulty of the spell?"

I asked knowing the classification of spells. Just like in N.O. Spells are classified through difficulty and each difficulty has 3 tiers, nominally 1st tier-Insight, 2nd tier-control, and 3rd tier-mastery.

Each tier serves as a reference of how much is left until the next difficulty grade, insight refers basic grasp of the concept of magic type, control is the tier where you know what you are doing with the utilization of the spells belonging to said difficulty and mastery obviously means you are now familiar with this difficulty of spells and can cast them very easily.

The mages of this world have studied each spell and labeled it with a tier so that apprentices know which spells are more suited for them. The appearances of magic use a special device to tell them their rank, and the rank of a mage is defined by the difficulty grade and tier of the spells they can cast.

Now going deeper into difficulties they start at beginner level spells commonly known as the most basic spells, then it goes on with novice, intermediate, advanced, grand, arch, holy, saintly, kingly, imperial, sage, Imperial king, patriarch, monarch, Divine, Divine King, Divine Sage, Divine Emperor, demigod, semigod, God.

In total there are 21 difficulty grades to magic, and those same difficulties names are the names given to each mage that has reached such ranks, for example, I'm currently a beginner control light mage and a beginner master fire mage, the titles for mages are rather long, so some people prefer to use the shortened form, like for example in my case, B.C.-L.M. and B.M.-F.M. It's weird and not everyone likes how it sounds so some people just stick to the normal version or chose to not mention the mage's tier, like beginner light mage or beginner fire mage, and that's what most people do.

The last point is that there's a clear difference between the power and control an individual has over the spells depending on their tier, each difficulty grade has its spell, and they can't be used if you haven't met those requirements. For the insight tier, mages have power and control of only 30%, that meaning that everyone spell they cast is only at 30% of its full potential in terms of power and control, while control tier mages have control of 50% and a power of 45%, it's called control tier specifically because it focuses on control, then there's the mastery tier which is only for those who have reached 70% in one of the two requirements, be it power or control.

Due to the way some people focus on power and others focus on control, the terms control mastery and power mastery are sometimes throw around, and there's even a duo mastery for those who go up to 70% in both of them but that's rare, the last type of mastery is known as domination or full mastery for those that go to 100% in power or control. Those who reach domination which because of how rare it is isn't even considered a tier also get titled with control, power, or duo depending on what they focus on.

Once again the amount of information necessary for the understanding of magic isn't that simple, this is all stuff you learn at beginner rank.

"The spell <mold earth> is an intermediate grade, so I suggest you start training."(Sophia)

"You're joking, right?"(Protagonist)

I say in response to Sophia's crazy remark.

"Of course not, all the information I provide is accurate and in place with your conditions."(Sophia)

"So, you're saying you expect me to brush through the novice rank, and go straight into the intermediate rank?! I can't even cast novice grade spells yet!"(Protagonist)

I asked shocked by how much she expects from me, my voice tone was exalted and my expression was that of confusion.

"Don't be such a crybaby and complain about everything, you practically have all the time you want, especially since you don't need to spend."(Sophia)

*Sigh*

"That's not a fair way to put it, but you're right, and I can't just keep being doubtful of my abilities... I'm just used to thinking that way..."(Protagonist)

I sigh as I take what Sophia said in and decide that it's best to try and fail than to not try, also just like she said, I have all the time I want.

"You really are a lost cause, don't be so negative right off the bat, you've already proven that even if you're not a genius you can put the work necessary, besides sometimes you actually use your brain."(Sophia)

(Isn't Sophia insulting me a little too much lately?! I guess it's good that she's showing signs of a personality after all it would be boring otherwise.)

I thought to myself without Sophia's knowledge and then just nod my head not saying anything, cause I believe that sometimes you need to hear certain things, negative or positive, to get back on track.

"Fine, but you don't have to be so sassy about it."(Protagonist)

I say as I sit down to start the meditation process necessary for a better understanding of magic spells.

"I wasn't being sassy, you're just salty because it's true."(Sophia)

"I didn't even know you could talk like that....."(Protagonist)

I was left speechless by Sophia's attitude, I don't personally mind it but I was surprised by it.

"I've been learning more by looking at your memories, and I got to say you've been through some whack stuff."(Sophia)

"You're not planning to do this 24/7, are you?"(Protagonist)

I say to her worried I'll have to deal with this all the time.

"No, only when I feel like teasing you a bit."(Sophia)

"....."(Protagonist)

This time I didn't even utter a word since I feel like it would be pointless, and despite the fact, I can't see it, I can totally feel the smug energy in Sophia's words.

I decide that it's best to ignore Sophia for now and focus on actually practicing, it will definitely take time.