Actually, learning Kamar-Taj's spells isn't that easy.
Though the power you use is borrowed from the Vishanti, how to channel the borrowed power and how to draw the runes—these are the tricky parts of learning spells.
But for Ronan, it wasn't that hard.
Wong only explained the key points of Images of Ikonn once and demonstrated it once for Ronan.
But just after one time, Ronan successfully created a duplicate.
Though it was only a single clone, Wong's jaw dropped and stayed that way.
Because in Ronan's second and third attempts, he easily executed the spell.
Especially during the fourth time.
When Ronan clasped his hands in front of his chest, countless clones floated out from behind him, each one perfectly embodying Ronan's stunning good looks that would make the heavens weep and the ghosts cry.
Seeing the clones standing in a line, Ronan nodded in satisfaction.
Say what you will, but just with these looks standing here, he'd be a sure-shot rich lady killer.
At the same time, Ronan's system updated with the new ability.
[Images of Ikonn: Use magic to create numerous clones of the caster. The clones have physical forms and can use spells in sync with the original. The number of clones is determined by the amount of magic consumed.]
In a sense, the effect of this spell was within Ronan's expectations—not particularly powerful but certainly not weak.
The reason Ronan thought it wasn't that powerful was that, against a strong opponent, these clones, even with physical bodies, would likely be destroyed in a single strike.
Because the description did not say that the user's physical stats would be replicated.
This was an important point.
The Images of Ikonn was more of a move that could easily overpower weaker enemies and stall for time in a fight against stronger opponents.
So, Ronan didn't hold back and used his last skill point on this ability.
A familiar glow appeared, and the skill point changed from 1 to 0.
As the light faded, the upgraded Images of Ikonn emerged.
[Images of Ikonn: Use magic to create numerous clones of the caster. The clones have physical forms and can use spells in sync with the original. The number of clones is determined by the amount of magic consumed.
+1 Attribute: Capable of summoning soul clones that inherit 80% of the original's physical attributes. The current limit is three.]
The limit is determined by the host's magic and mental power.
In addition, the three clones that inherit physical attributes can communicate telepathically with the original, possessing intelligence and independent thought.
Summoning a soul clone continuously consumes the caster's magic and mental power.
Additionally, the clones can share the original's mental power—how much specifically can be adjusted by the original, with a maximum of 50%.
Seeing several lines of "+1 Attribute," Ronan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
A weakened version of that multi-shadow clone from a certain anime?
No, perhaps it wasn't quite accurate to put it that way.
In that anime, the shadow clones also had their own unique thoughts and were real physical entities.
Every time a clone was created, it would take away a part of the original's chakra.
These clones could train, and once dispelled, the progress could be fed back to the original.
Undoubtedly, this was a very overpowered ability.
Compared to that, Ronan's upgraded Images of Ikonn seemed much weaker.
But actually, that wasn't entirely the case.
Though the shadow clones could train independently and accelerate the original's training progress, they also passed back the fatigue and pain they experienced.
If it weren't for that particular blonde kid having inherited an absurd amount of chakra from his mother and the Nine-Tails' overpowered healing buff, he would've died from the backlash of this ability long ago.
More importantly, Images of Ikonn did not require Ronan to consume his own magic.
All the clones' magic came from the Vishanti, which meant Ronan wouldn't run into any mana depletion issues.
As for the soul clones needing to consume his own magic...
Ronan narrowed his eyes, summoning a soul clone.
He could clearly feel that his own magic and mental power began slowly depleting as soon as the soul clone appeared.
Just as the system indicated, it wasn't a one-time consumption but a continuous drain determined by how long the soul clone remained active.
However, the consumption wasn't too much, nor too little. If it was just one clone, Ronan estimated he could sustain it for seven days.
If he used meditation to restore his magic during that time, it could last even longer.
It seemed that the limit on the number of clones was related to his own magic power.
Ronan stroked his chin, as he had never quite understood something.
According to Kamar-Taj, the magic used for spells came from the Vishanti.
But Ronan was different.
Ever since he upgraded his meditation skill, he had another source of magic within his body.
But he never had the opportunity to use this magic.
Now, however, things seemed to have changed.
The upgraded Images of Ikonn required Ronan to use his own magic.
Which meant, if he continued upgrading his skills, did that imply he could further detach himself from Kamar-Taj's system?
Borrow when he wanted, refuse when he didn't.
He wouldn't be at anyone's mercy.
With that thought, Ronan's eyes lit up.
Although the Vishanti weren't stingy about lending their magic, Ronan understood something.
When there's no conflict of interest, everything might be peaceful.
But if something were to happen...
It's better to have a backup plan.
Of course, for Ronan, thinking about these things now was still premature.
To the Vishanti, Ronan was probably no different from an ant at the moment.
Understanding this, Ronan continued experimenting with his clone.
He transferred half of his mental power to the clone.
But to his disappointment, the clone didn't display anything special—nothing changed.
It wasn't any smarter, nor did it suddenly have a gleam of intelligence in its eyes like something out of a novel.
Maybe it needs another upgrade?
Ronan pursed his lips. Was this lousy system learning from CPU manufacturers?
Drip-feeding upgrades every year? Every year, a "big" upgrade?
Bah!
Ronan spat, sighing helplessly.
He glanced at his "mighty" level 9 system and took a deep breath.
One more level!
One more level, and he'd get his second special ability.
Apart from that, Ronan was a bit disappointed to find that, although the soul clones inherited 80% of his physical attributes and could share his mental power, they couldn't use the skills in his system.
The clones' magic also came from the Vishanti.
So, the clones could only use Kamar-Taj's spells.
But that wasn't too bad.
The spells from Kamar-Taj were quite powerful, and the clones could replicate whatever spells Ronan had learned.
That alone was enough.
Ronan hadn't really expected that much in the first place.
He just wanted his clones to help with his homework after learning Images of Ikonn and upgrading it.
Now it seemed the clones could not only help with his homework but do so in triplicate.
In other words, Ronan no longer needed to worry about his homework.
Ronan was delighted.
But Wong, standing to the side, was filled with frustration.
Back when he learned this spell, it took him an immeasurable amount of time.
But Ronan? It took him less than half an hour!
Although Wong had mentally prepared himself for Ronan's learning capabilities, experiencing it firsthand was a different matter. It was a hard pill to swallow.
"What's the matter, Wong?"
"Feeling inferior now?"
Ronan patted Wong's shoulder, grinning mischievously.
After being mocked for being single, Ronan had successfully struck back.
And it was a big success!
"Get lost."
"Since you've learned it, I'm leaving."
"There are still a few hours before my date—I need to prepare."
With that, Wong broke free from Ronan's grip, opened a portal, and prepared to leave.
However, how could Ronan possibly let him go?
Having the opportunity to learn new spells, Ronan wasn't going to let it end like this.
"Don't be in such a rush, Wong, we're just getting started."
"How about we figure out whether the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak or the Bolts of Balthakk is stronger?"
"Plus, we still need to discuss the practicality issues of the Winds of Watoomb..."