Chapter 470: Guiding Rhonin

"Rhonin, I've got to say, I think your teacher is a bit lousy," Duke grumbled, lounging in the shade of a tree during their rest time.

"No, my teacher was... actually very good to me," Rhonin responded. Being abandoned by his teacher was a perpetual wound in his heart. He couldn't quite articulate the feeling of loss, as if he had been forsaken by the whole world. His answer to Duke's comment was a defensive rebuttal, even he himself couldn't fully believe.

"No, I mean, didn't he ever examine your magical circuit structure? How could he let you use such a trash magic circuit model? The fact that you could even reach Morningstar with this set of magical circuits is a miracle."

"I..."

Rhonin was taken aback. He had only cast spells twice, revealing the magic circuits on his arm. The magical circuits visible on the skin surface are just the tip of the iceberg of the magical circuits within a mage's body, accounting for only about one percent. Duke had managed to infer that it was a miracle he could reach Morningstar based on this?

If it was just Duke saying so, Rhonin wouldn't believe it. But before Duke, Krasus, who was almost like half a mentor to him, had told him the same thing.

Rhonin was torn.

If there was any hesitation in Rhonin's mind a moment ago, Duke's following words left him completely stunned.

"Have you noticed that while others seem to operate their arcane circuits without any problem following the same method, when you use it, you find the arcane energy surges out like a runaway horse?"

"I... yes!" Rhonin, sitting on the ground, deeply lowered his head, almost burying his face between his knees.

His posture made Duke feel a bit awkward. It seemed like a picture of a man burdened by life.

Honestly, Marian, who hadn't been paying much attention to Rhonin, didn't understand why Duke valued a mage with poor skills and seemingly no promising future. To her eyes, even a high elf magic apprentice could do better than Rhonin.

Rhonin's magical aura, though not particularly overwhelming, was always in a state of turbulence. This reminded Marian of those fools who had absorbed too much energy from the Sunwell and caused themselves to explode.

Marian was just waiting to see a good show.

Duke's approach, however, was beyond everyone's expectations: "Would you like to try my magic circuit model? It's from Antonidas, but I've made some modifications."

Rhonin was stunned, and so was Marian.

Magic circuit models are one of the most private aspects of a mage. The strength of a mage is directly related to his or her magic circuit.

Was Duke really just giving this away?

Duke murmured a spell, transferring a series of runes and circuit models directly into Rhonin's mind.

Almost the instant he received it, a fanatical exclamation escaped from Rhonin's mouth.

A magic circuit is not necessarily better the more complex it is, and it's also not necessarily more useful the simpler it is. The most crucial thing is that it has to suit the user.

People with heart diseases can't ride the fiercest horses. Similarly, those with insufficient qualifications should obediently ride the slowest nags, or even donkeys.

Rhonin's mouth fell open.

It was the Arcane Throne!

Rhonin was not strong, but he wasn't lacking in discernment. He recognized almost instantly that this model definitely came from Antonidas. After simulating it lightly in his mind, he immediately determined that it was indeed Antonidas's famous Arcane Throne!

But there was a difference.

Antonidas is most famous for his frost magic, so his Arcane Throne serves as the basis for his Crown of Ice.

The Arcane Throne that Rhonin received, however, had discarded all outward outputs. It was entirely arcane serving arcane.

Rhonin was shocked and asked incredulously, "How did you know that I am most proficient in arcane magic?"

Duke smiled, "I could tell at a glance."

Well, from the poor descriptions of Blizzard, 'at a glance'.

"This... this gift is too precious, I..."

But Duke shook his head, "First of all, this is not the complete Arcane Throne. This is just a model to inspire you and give you a reference. I'm merely pointing you in the right direction so you can see your own path clearly. Your previous model was too poor and couldn't play to your strengths. Those guys overemphasized the skill of controlling magic, and that's what wasted your talent."

"Talent?"

"Yes! The mana output of your magic circuits is at least fifty times that of a mage of the same level. That's why when you cast a spell, you feel the magic surge out all at once, and the skills you learned are completely useless. The result is loss of control and explosion. For example, your one-layer Arcane Blast is equivalent to others' ten-layer one, and then the effect becomes an Arcane Explosion."

Rhonin lifted his head, staring at Duke in amazement. He was stunned, utterly stunned.

Duke had pinpointed his problem, hit the nail on the head, leaving him with no room for rebuttal.

"So, I should..."

Duke spoke solemnly, "First, you need to get used to your mana output. Use your power to its maximum potential. If you can use Arcane Missile Storm, don't use Arcane Missiles. If you can use an Arcane Explosion, don't use Arcane Blast. Then you can slowly adjust your magic circuits, finding the balance between power and control that's right for you."

"Is there any method..."

"No, first, you need to identify your own characteristics, understand yourself. Only when you have a full understanding of your abilities and talents can you begin to find your own way. That is the path you should take. All the magic training in Dalaran is just one method. But that's for average magic apprentices and mages. It's not for someone with astonishing talents like you."

"I understand." Rhonin stood up and bowed deeply to Duke.

"You've failed because you used the wrong method before. Methods vary from person to person. Only by following your own path can you find the method that suits you. But what suits you may not necessarily lead you to the end of the path of magic. After all, everyone's end is completely different."

Duke gently raised his hand, and in an instant, nine magical energy balls appeared above his forehead. Arcane, frost, and fire, three different forces, harmoniously merged into three Frostfire Arcane energy balls in front of Rhonin.

Everyone could feel the incredible destructive power contained within these spheres. Yet, if you stepped back a little, no one could sense any power emanating from them.

Under the watchful eyes of Rhonin and Marian, Duke stopped the fusion and circulation of magic, allowing the whole cycle to slow down. The terrifying power dissipated silently, the magical fluctuations around quickly calmed down, and after three breaths, there was no trace of any magical activity in the air.

"After you understand yourself, I can discuss with you the path of control."