Chapter 36: Blind Guess

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio  Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Ten minutes later, a “very simple” dark blue Magic Array appeared in Niedern’s spellbook.

Within the circle was a mass of lines and complicated geometric images.

When Su Ye observed it closely, he noticed that every line was clean and forceful. Each picture was filled with a mysterious allure. It gave the entire Magic Array a wonderful aesthetic.

Still, it was a little heavy on the eyes.

Su Ye looked at Niedern. He hoped that Niedern was not joking just now.

Was a Magic Array that a Gold Mage drew continuously for ten minutes considered simple?

“How long does it take for you to draw up a gold spell?” Su Ye asked.

“If I am lucky and it does not fail, two hours.”

“What about a legendary Magic Array?”

“A month.”

“I finally understand why art is a core subject,” Su Ye said.

“It’s alright if your drawing is bad. My first successful Magic Array on the leaf of the Tree of Magic was also shaky and crooked. But through constant meditation and practice, I arrived at such a stage. Come, I’ll let you see the first Magic Array I drew. I’ve kept it till this day.”

Another Magic Array appeared in Niedern’s spellbook as he spoke.

Su Ye froze for a moment. This Magic Array was not even circular. It was more like an oddly-shaped potato. The lines and pictures inside looked like the scribbles of a child.

Looking at this picture, Su Ye was reminded of the first time he drew a three-dimensional object when he was learning how to sketch. Even though it was clumsy and crass, it showed that he was incredibly serious.

“I sense joy from this Magic Array,” Su Ye said.

“I don’t remember if I was happy during that time, but I do remember the feeling of Teacher Thucydides’ saliva on my face,” Niedern said.

“Your teacher is not as good as mind,” Su Ye said with a serious look.

Niedern’s gaze turned soft. He then continued, “Don’t forget about these words the next time you see Teacher Thucydides.”

Su Ye looked up at the sky, not saying a word.

Thucydides was notorious for being a grumpy old man, completely different from the gentle and elegant Plato. Basically, if anything required violence in the Plato Academy, Thucydides would step up and deal with the situation. He was hailed as the executioner of the Plato Academy.

Mages would rather offend Plato than Thucydides.

“Try it. You don’t have to finish the drawing in one go. Take it slow. Having the important elements is enough,” Niedern said.

“Can I do a draft?”

“No.”

“Go back to the image just now.” Su Ye carefully hid his slight disdain.

Niedern silently moved his finger. The perfect Magic Array appeared in the spellbook.

Su Ye placed his spellbook on the magic carpet and drew as he looked at Niedern’s Magic Array.

Su Ye drew very slowly, but he was very serious and very excited.

This brought Su Ye back to the time when he had first learned how to sketch. Even though his three-dimensional drawing looked like a few pairs of chopsticks propped up against each other, it still looked decent, provided one did not overly focus on the details.

Niedern looked on silently.

Su Ye retracted his fingers half an hour later then exhaled.

Su Ye’s Magic Array was incomparable to the one Niedern drew, but it was far better than the picture he had drawn in the past.

“This is a standard that even the top of the art class last year could not reach,” Niedern said.

Su Ye said calmly, “I believe that you would reach my level if you practiced sketching at the beach during the summer break. Also, I am an expert at drawing lines.”

It had not been an easy task learning how to draw lines back when he was learning how to sketch.

“It’s obvious. Your foundation when it comes to drawing lines is very strong. You are even better than me when it comes to some of the finer lines.” Niedern stared at Su Ye.

“I’ve moved forward after being humiliated. You would work as hard as me too if you were called “Third Fool” every day.” Su Ye’s expression did not change.

“Good, I will pretend to believe your nonsense.”

“…”

“But you do have a bad habit with your lines. You do not put as much force in the beginning and at the end of your lines. Take note of that next time.”

“Alright.” Su Ye knew that this was a technique used in sketching, but it turned out to be a weakness when drawing Magic Arrays.

“Alright, now you can try carving this Magic Array on your Tree of Magic,” Niedern said.

Su Ye asked in surprise, “I can do that now?”

“How am I going to teach you in the future if I do not let you experience failure now?” Niedern reversed the question with a serious expression.

Su Ye did not know whether to laugh or to cry. Even though he had not learned the second chapter of Fundamental Magic, he did understand the basics. Even Rolon, who was top of the art class last year, would have to practice for half a month before drawing this Magic Array well.

Su Ye was about to enter the Magic Tower when he suddenly said, “Teacher, the Magic Tower before my eyes is a blur. It is incredibly hazy, to the point that I cannot find the leaf of the Tree of Magic. How am I going to carve it?”

“By blindly guessing.”

Su Ye was dazed for a moment. He asked, “How did you draw your first Magic Array?”

“Luck.”

Su Ye fell silent.

“Teacher, I have a small suggestion. Can we conduct this lesson properly?” Su Ye asked.

“Teacher Thucydides also said this back then. He said that Master Plato also taught this way.”

Su Ye vaguely understood something. It was not that the mages were bad at teaching, but that the system of magic was too complicated. Every person could only research one aspect and not the bigger picture.

“This is a vicious practice that’s been passed down the generations… But how can I record this Magic Array?”

“You are already a Mage Apprentice. You can use your Magic Power to replicate this Magic Array and bring it into the Magic Tower, though that can only last a day.”

“Then send me the Magic Array.”

Niedern placed his finger onto a page of his spellbook. With a swipe of his right finger, the Magic Array disappeared from the page while an identical Magic Array immediately appeared on Su Ye’s page.

“The general method is very simple. Imagine the power of the Tree of Magic flowing into your brain, then stare at this Magic Array. You will succeed once you feel your Magic Power being expended. This requires concentration. You might fail a few times.”

Su Ye nodded. The image of the Tree of Magic surfaced in his mind. He had not begun the next step before he felt a warm current flow between his brows. The warm current then disappeared.

At the same time, a picture flashed in Su Ye’s brain. A Magic Array appeared out of thin air and landed on the Magic Tower.

“Yes, you’ve succeeded.” Niedern’s voice was heavy.

“I sensed it. Thank you, Teacher.”

Su Ye sat on the magic carpet once again and entered the Magic Tower through meditation.

Su Ye’s mental body could clearly see the leaf of the Tree of Magic. He could even see the veins on the leaf. He slipped into deep thought.

“Should I continue laying low or amaze everyone with a single feat?”

Countless images surfaced in Su Ye’s brain.

“I’ll go all out! I do not have time to waste! Furthermore, compared to the geniuses, compared to Aristotle and the rest of the legends, I can only be seen as average.” There was an endless glimmer in Su Ye’s eyes. It was as radiant as the galaxy.

Su Ye looked at the Magic Array that was floating by his left, then used his will to draw on the leaf of the Tree of Magic.

Su Ye did not expect his drawing abilities to be ten times better in the mental world. He was comparable even to Niedern in terms of sketching ability.

Su Ye did not become arrogant because of that. Instead, he suppressed the restlessness in his heart and concentrated on the drawing.

A Magic Array appeared on the leaf of the Tree of Magic 20 minutes later.

Even though this Magic Array had its flaws, it was still incomparable to Su Ye’s first drawing. In fact, it was about 80% as good as Niedern’s drawing.

Su Ye looked at the Magic Array on the leaf of the Tree of Magic. His heart was filled with joy.

“It’s all because I spent so many years bitterly honing my meditation skills back on the Blue Star that I can see the Magic Tower so clearly.”

Su Ye left the Magic Tower with a radiant smile.

“Teacher, I am done with the drawing.”