Sensing magic elements on my first meditation, forming my Magic Cube so effortlessly—I can’t explain this unimaginable luck except by raw talent.

Am I truly a born Mage? How else did I advance to Magic Apprentice so fast?

Maybe… I could leap further… straight to Formal Mage!

Would it still be this simple then?

Casting a first-tier spell makes you a Formal Mage. Sounds easy, but bridging Magic Apprentice to Mage takes ordinary people years.

That’s because Formal Mages must master a key step: Magic Runes.

Formal spells aren’t just element arrangements—they demand complex rune sequences.

Combine elements into specific Magic Runes, then arrange them by formula to unleash stronger magic.

Take the second-tier Tempest Hammer: its power shatters walls, far beyond non-formal spells.

But it drains insane mana and demands brutal focus—just one Tempest Hammer requires four Magic Runes.

Non-formal spells? They use zero runes.

So, to cast formal magic, a Magic Apprentice must practice element arrangement day and night. Only speed unlocks rune-based spells.

Yet forming runes devours mana. If the Magic Cube’s supply falters, the spell fails—all effort wasted.

If an apprentice can weave two runes from elements in seconds? They’re a Formal Mage.

Runes also enable instant casting. Every Mage knows: runes can be stored. Depending on mana strength and Magic Cube stability, each Mage holds a rune limit.

After forming runes, a Mage stores them in their Magic Cube. In battle, they skip element arrangement—just sequence pre-made runes for surprise attacks.

But Mage duels hinge on experience. Veterans win easily, even pulling off insane level-upset victories.

After pondering, I decided to test my element arrangement speed. I focused on Frost Arrow, a basic first-tier spell.

It’s weak but slows targets—bone-chilling cold stiffens limbs, making foes sluggish.

Frost Arrow hits like a normal arrow, needing only two runes.

Memorizing the element formulas, I began arranging. To my shock, it flowed naturally. No hesitation—the first rune formed instantly, as if my hands mirrored my thoughts.

Like drawing a line on paper with a pen.

Tonight’s surprises hadn’t numbed me yet. My mind wavered, but I suppressed doubts and focused on the second rune.

Elements obeyed like tame kittens under my mana. Then—sudden, splitting pain exploded in my skull.

The agony shattered my concentration. Mana scattered. The half-formed second rune collapsed, dissolving the first rune back into wild elements.

No strength left to control anything. Dizziness crashed over me again—that familiar, unbearable wave.

Damn it. Mana’s enough, but my spirit’s too weak for formal spells?

So close… just a hair from casting Frost Arrow, from becoming a Formal Mage.

My head… it throbs… aches…

The desk blurred and twisted. Why’s my spirit so frail? Did I rush? I have the talent for arrangement, mana conversion blazing fast—but my spirit lags.

Only when spirit catches up can I be a truly strong Mage.

This weak spirit can’t sustain first-tier spells. Forcing it only damages the mind. I must wait—until my spirit levels up.

Can’t even cast the simplest first-tier spell now. Did advancing to Magic Apprentice too smoothly make me overreach?

Aren’t today’s gains enough? Am I being greedy?

This failure taught me to slow down.

Even without first-tier spells, I can train non-formal magic. Anything that boosts my power is worth mastering.

But not today.

Gritting through spirit-drain pain, I collapsed onto my bed. My skull pounded, yet excitement bubbled up.

Someday, I’ll be stronger. I’ll protect myself. Before my Demon King identity surfaces, I need power to face the Holy Church—even if I can’t win, I’ll escape.

Besides, the Demon King’s enemies aren’t just the Holy Church. There’s the mighty Avaria Empire. Honestly? Humanity itself hunts the Demon King.

As sleep pulled me under, one hazy thought lingered…

If I become a Mage… Eunice won’t have to fight alone anymore…