Even mastering the first 50 runes—a mere fraction of the 192 that formed the complete Magic Mind spell—did little to quell the doubt gnawing at William. Could he truly conquer this monumental task in time?
He trained relentlessly, pushing himself to the brink of exhaustion. Every waking moment within Aethel's past was consumed by the intricate dance of runes, their complex patterns swirling in his mind's eye.
He would practice until his body screamed for respite, then activate Chrono Shift, that potent SSS-rank skill, ripping open a portal to the past and stepping back into Aethel to relive those hours anew.
With time frozen in the present—in the academy where he truly belonged—he effectively doubled his training time. Yet, even with Jinra's unwavering support, it felt like an insurmountable challenge.
"Only eight individuals in history have ever mastered this spell," William muttered to himself, the weight of that knowledge pressing down on him. "Eight legendary mages, each a titan in their own right. Why did I even entertain the thought of joining their ranks?"
The seed of this reckless ambition had been planted in a moment of youthful arrogance. He'd yearned to prove himself, to silence the whispers of doubt that followed him like a shadow.
Summoned to this world as a hero, he carried the burden of expectation, the crushing weight of a destiny he hadn't chosen. If a hero couldn't master this spell, then who could?
Jinra returned, a glass of cool water sloshing gently in his hand. "Here," he said, offering it to William. "Drink this. You'll feel better."
William gratefully accepted the water, the cool liquid soothing his parched throat. "Thanks," he mumbled, then hesitated. "Is it normal for this to be so...difficult? I mean, getting the runes to settle into my mind feels like wrestling a swarm of angry hornets."
Jinra chuckled, a low rumble that echoed through the clearing. "You're accustomed to the ease of lower-rank spells, William," he explained. "But the Magic Mind is in a league of its own, far more complex and demanding than anything you've encountered before. This struggle is to be expected." He clapped a reassuring hand on William's shoulder. "But fret not, young one. We'll get there. Persistence is key."
William's eyes lit up with a sudden thought. "What about potions? Could another draught give me the edge I need?" His mind flashed back to the potent concoction brewed from demonic blood—its effects amplified tenfold within his unique physiology.
Jinra, however, shook his head, a stern expression settling on his face. "I have a few potions remaining," he admitted, "but your body needs time to recover from the last dose. We cannot afford to rush this process, William. Impatience could lead to grave consequences, even crippling you. I won't risk your well-being for the sake of a shortcut."
No choice remained. After a brief respite, William steeled his resolve and plunged back into the maelstrom, wrestling with the unruly runes.
Hours bled into one another as he grappled with the chaotic energies, his focus unwavering. Finally, with a surge of power that left him breathless, he triumphed. Fifty runes, glowing with an ethereal blue light, etched themselves onto his forehead, intertwining and converging until they formed a single, radiant symbol.
The system's notification chimed, a symphony of success:
[+15% Learning Speed]
[+15% Memory Retention]
[You can now achieve a clearer mind during meditation]
The effects were staggering, and this was merely the first act in the grand play of Magic Mind. While the 15% learning speed boost paled in comparison to the potion's explosive 1000%, the permanent nature of this enhancement, coupled with the amplified memory retention and the surge in raw intelligence, far outweighed any temporary gains.
Each point of intelligence amplified his learning capacity exponentially, making this permanent upgrade far superior to any fleeting potion-induced boost.
And the absence of debilitating side effects? Priceless. Potions were a crutch, a dangerous gamble with potentially devastating consequences. This, however, was pure, unadulterated power.
"I did it!" William roared, his voice ringing with triumph.
Jinra beamed, his pride radiating like the sun. He pulled William into a tight embrace, his gruff voice softening with affection. "Well done, lad! You possess a rare talent indeed."
Their bond, forged in the crucible of magical pursuit, had deepened considerably in their short time together. To witness a student unlock the secrets of a spell as profound as Magic Mind was a reward in itself for any mentor.
"Thanks," William replied, a grin splitting his face. "It's just the beginning, I know, but it's a damn good start. This definitely fuels the fire!"
Twilight painted the sky in hues of orange and purple as William finally emerged from the depths of his magical struggle. His time within Aethel's past was drawing to a close; Chrono Shift, for now, limited him to a single day in that bygone era.
Exhausted but elated, he stumbled towards the barn, collapsing onto a bed of hay. Sleep claimed him instantly, and he awoke with the dawn, back in his familiar dormitory within the bustling magic academy.
The hallway buzzed with the usual pre-exam chatter. Students boasted of their accomplishments, their voices laced with a mixture of confidence and anxiety. Some had already mastered a few low-level spells, earning them precious points towards passing the test.
William, despite his monumental achievement, remained at zero. But the Magic Mind...ah, that was a game changer. If he could conquer that behemoth, the top spot in the rankings was all but assured.
He was about to head towards the dining hall when a familiar figure materialized beside him. Altair, with his ever-present smile and helpful demeanor, was like a golden retriever in human form.
"Heard about the lecture today?" Altair chirped, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Apparently, it's supposed to be a real eye-opener, even for seasoned mages. Might give us an edge in our training." He paused, dropping his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "And guess what? It's being given by one of the summoned heroes! Right after breakfast!"
William blinked, momentarily disoriented. Lost in his intense training within Aethel's past, he'd been oblivious to any news or announcements.
He even thought he had heard it wrong.
"One of the summoned heroes?" William echoed, his voice tight with a mixture of apprehension and disbelief. He knew exactly who Altair was talking about – it had to be one of his former classmates, another soul ripped from their world and thrust into this one. But while those heroes were celebrated and lauded, William had been cast aside, stripped of his title, and left to fend for himself.
Altair, blissfully unaware of the turmoil brewing within William, continued his enthusiastic chatter. "Yep! Apparently, he's some kind of prodigy. Already mastered a bunch of high-level spells and even helped some of the professors with their...uh...professor stuff. Everyone's calling him a genius." He gave William a playful nudge. "Maybe you should try to snag a seat next to him. Some of that brilliance might rub off on you!"
William forced a chuckle, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. This was a disaster. He couldn't risk being seen by one of them. Who knew what kind of reaction they'd have? Would they expose him as a failure, a hero who had been discarded? Shame burned in his throat, a bitter taste that threatened to choke him.
He had to find a way to attend the lecture without being noticed. Perhaps he could disguise himself, or slip in late and find a seat in the back...
"Uh, yeah, that's...great," William stammered, trying to maintain his composure. "Just remembered something I need to take care of first. How about we meet at the lecture hall? I'll see you there."
Altair, though clearly sensing William's evasiveness, graciously let it slide. "Sure thing," he replied with a shrug. "See you later!"
As Altair bounded off down the hallway, William leaned against the wall, his heart pounding. He needed a plan, and fast. This lecture had just become a high-stakes game.