Reforged Chapter 27: The Advancement Exam - Part 2

With a "whoosh," the unremarkable Frostbolt spell, in the eyes of countless official mages, was accurately cast.

The magical power didn't dissipate, nor did it have earth-shaking power.

It just shot towards Medivh.

If this Frostbolt were cast on the battlefield by a mage within the ranks of the mage corps, it would at least receive a passing evaluation.

Perhaps it wouldn't be able to kill a fully armed soldier, but it could certainly take down an unarmed peasant.

Its power was just like that.

If this had been cast by a mage in a mage corps, no one would think anything of it. However, considering Duke's excessively young face, his performance immediately stirred shockwaves in the hearts of the mages.

Damn! How old was this kid?

Two standard and flawless level 1 spells. Even though they seemed ordinary, when combined with Duke's performance in the trial space, the mages couldn't help but be astonished.

Reverse-engineering the magical formula contained in a magical item was a skill that only expert-level enchanters could master.

What a terrifying genius!

Recalling how they had just unknowingly and recklessly attacked this ultra-talented individual, who was certain to be protected by Medivh, these proud mages felt regretful, as if they had slapped their own faces.

It was obvious to everyone that Duke had almost exhausted his mana.

Casting a third spell was too strenuous for his apprentice-level body. At this point, no one doubted that Duke could cast a third spell.

The only difference was time.

At this moment, Duke suddenly raised his hand, his seemingly powerless fingers began to trace meaningless gestures in the air. As his index finger moved, everyone could clearly see the arcane blue light that symbolized arcane brilliance forming where his finger passed.

Arcane Intellect!?

An elderly mage let out a chuckle, thinking to himself: rookies will be rookies.

One of the most standard pre-casting spells for a mage was Arcane Intellect, which temporarily increased their intelligence. Not only could it raise their mana limit, but it could also slightly enhance the power of their spells.

No one would remind Duke or mock him. To them, Duke's actions at this moment were a rookie's expected performance. It was because of this ordinary mistake amidst his perfect performance that they suddenly felt a little less upset.

No matter how talented, Duke was still human!

On the other hand, everyone could see that Duke's condition wasn't good.

At the edge of the arena, old man Norton couldn't help but pinch his nose and remind him, "Don't push yourself too hard. Rest, or you might damage your magical circuits."

Magic circuits are the areas within the body where mana is stored. A well-trained apprentice or mage can continually widen their magic circuits through meditation, allowing their body to hold more mana and cast more powerful spells.

Magic circuits are not constant. Sometimes, they can be damaged by accidents or expanded by powerful impacts.

Now, Duke was clearly pushing himself to his limits, forcing himself to cast a third level one spell immediately.

Under Sargeras' control, Medivh displayed the demeanor of a wise senior mage, "Duke, my boy, I strongly advise against continuing immediately... alright... perhaps we'll witness a miracle."

His keen eyes saw what Duke was trying to do.

Duke deliberately exhausted his mana with Pyroblast and Frostbolt spells.

Duke felt as if his vitality was being drained like blood from a thick syringe, but he still hadn't reached his limit.

If he lost consciousness, the system spirit would take over spell control. If he died, there was resurrection. Duke was determined to complete the final spell with all his might.

For a true mage apprentice, this would be extremely risky, but for Duke, it was a relatively safe gamble. He wanted to accomplish this ascension in front of everyone, and if he could do this, his future miracles would be considered 'normal', reducing the risk of exposing the system's special existence.

At first, arcane runes whirled through Duke's mind.

Soon, under Duke's command, the system deliberately slowed the runes, allowing him to examine their functions.

It is difficult to describe how Arcane Intellect works. If an analogy is required, it would be a tool. For example, a grappling hook allows a person to climb cliffs that they couldn't reach with their bare hands.

Arcane Intellect adds an additional magic circuit to a mage's body. However, Duke was using the complete magic circuit provided by Arcane Intellect to compare the potential magic circuits within his body, using the power of magic to transform himself.

Under normal circumstances, according to Azeroth's prevalent magical theories, one should use better meditation techniques, long-term communication with the Elemental Plane, and gradual infusion of arcane energy to transform the body and open new magic circuits.

Now, Duke was taking a dangerous leap.

His consciousness was becoming increasingly blurred, and he didn't know when he would lose it. But as the last remnants of mana within him were completely drained, he felt his mental world touch a barrier.

Beyond that barrier was a faint, yet constant flow of spiritual power – his own power. Even through the barrier, he could vaguely sense it.

Suddenly, Duke broke through the barrier!

"Host's mana capacity is increasing," detected the system spirit.

Ignoring the system spirit's notification, Duke focused entirely on the breakthrough. He refused to let go of that wonderful experience, as if something that didn't belong to him had erupted within his body.

His body should only have blood and various fluids flowing through it, but this was a third element – true mana created by magic circuits absorbing external energy, rather than simple mana converted from his own life energy.

Even though this mana was faint, like a mist, it felt like a refreshing source of nourishment for someone who had been thirsting in a desert for days, giving him the strength to continue.

Level 1 Arcane Intellect completed!

However, what all mages valued most was the faint arcane radiance flickering on Duke's body.

This was the unmistakable sign of an official mage!