“I didn’t see any corpses,” Ludwig said, his voice tinged with confusion and a lingering hint of exhaustion.
Van Dijk sighed deeply, the kind of sigh that spoke of centuries of experience weighed down by the naivety of youth. “The Sigil of Summon Undead isn’t limited to the corpses lying on the ground,” he began, pacing slowly around the room with his hands clasped behind his back. His crimson eyes glinted under the flickering light of the lanterns in his lab. “It is an ancient and dangerous craft. The sigil can harness the residual essence of anything that has died in the vicinity, even those long faded into dust.”
Ludwig stiffened at the explanation. He had understood necromancy to be a means of calling the dead back into service, but this was something altogether more profound—and far more horrifying.
Van Dijk continued, his voice sharp, each word laced with warning. “You’re not guaranteed to summon a simple Lizardman. You could inadvertently call forth something ancient, a being whose death left echoes so potent they’ve never truly faded. A banshee, perhaps. Or worse…” He paused, his gaze locking onto Ludwig’s, his tone dropping to a chilling whisper. “A demon.”
Ludwig’s heart skipped a beat, though he didn’t have any. A bead of figurative cold sweat traced its way down his temple.
Van Dijk turned away, his tone now one of restrained frustration. “This is why that sigil is forbidden. It breaks not only the rules of mortal magic but the fabric of reality itself. Used recklessly, it can summon entities too mighty, too malevolent for you—or anyone—to control.” He faced Ludwig once more, his expression now stern. “You tried to fight alone when you had access to this power. Such foolishness is unacceptable.”
The rebuke stung, but Ludwig held his ground. He didn’t defend himself because, deep down, he knew Van Dijk was right. The battle had been reckless; the cost would have been his life. Something he already lost twice before.
Van Dijk’s expression softened, just slightly, as he gestured to one of the shimmering memories still playing in the air before them. “But here—this is where you gained my favor.” He pointed to the scene where Ludwig refused treatment. “You realized that healing spell would kill you.”
Ludwig nodded, his voice steady but laced with uncertainty. “Yes. I thought heal spells would destroy me if I received them.”
Van Dijk laughed, a sound as dark and chilling as a cold wind through an ancient graveyard. “It wouldn’t have.” He shook his head, amusement fading into explanation. “The spell your classmate was using wasn’t a holy spell—it was a basic [Heal]. Healing magic is rooted in the natural regeneration of the body, applicable to both the living and the undead.”
Ludwig blinked in confusion. “I didn’t know that…”
Van Dijk’s eyes gleamed with the light of a teacher about to impart a harsh truth. “Holy Heal is entirely different. It cleanses before it regenerates, removing all curses, ailments… and undead corruption. That ‘cleansing’ would erase your very existence before the healing could begin. But basic [Heal]? That would have simply restored your arm, no divine purification involved.” He smirked. “Still, your prudence spared you this time. For that, I’ll overlook your mistake.”
Ludwig exhaled, unsure whether to feel relieved or embarrassed. Van Dijk, however, wasn’t done.
“What worries me most,” Van Dijk said, his tone growing sharper, “is that throughout the entire ordeal, you used only one spell. One stupid spell that nearly cost you your arm.”
Ludwig shifted uncomfortably. “That’s the only spell I know,” he admitted. “Well, more like the only spell I learned right then and there.”
Van Dijk arched an eyebrow, a smirk creeping across his face. “Let me get this straight. You improvised a spell on the spot? In the middle of a life-or-death battle?” He shook his head, muttering to himself. “If nothing else, you’re bold.”
Ludwig’s cheeks flushed—not that his skeletal features could show it. “I was trying to use [Fireball].”
Van Dijk laughed heartily, the sound echoing ominously off the lab’s stone walls. “You’re trying to run before you’ve learned to crawl! [Fireball]? A Tier-One mage spell, and you’ve barely grasped the fundamentals of mana control.”
“I read your Mana Control notes,” Ludwig said quickly. “I already finished them.”
Van Dijk’s laughter abruptly stopped. “Finished? As in, read them? Or understood them?” His piercing gaze bore into Ludwig.
“To a decent extent,” Ludwig replied, feeling less confident under Van Dijk’s scrutiny.
Van Dijk let out another sigh, shaking his head. “So be it. Though I doubt you’ve fully grasped something that deep in such a short time, I’ll allow you to take a few basic spellbooks. They’ll give you tools better suited to your current level.”
“I can only learn only two spells, though,” Ludwig admitted, his voice tinged with frustration.
Van Dijk frowned. “Why?” He studied Ludwig for a moment, piecing together the puzzle. “Ah, your circle level, yes? Remember, Ludwig, you’re not human. You’re not bound by the same constraints they are.”
Ludwig hesitated, unwilling to explain his limitation of two spell slots.
Van Dijk continued, his tone contemplative. “You’ve probably read that mages must expand their mana pool through circles to learn more spells. And that’s true—to an extent. But you forget the deeper truth. Once your understanding of a spell reaches mastery, it ceases to be a mere spell. It becomes a part of you, something innate. That’s why mages read constantly, striving for deeper comprehension. You must do the same.”
A notification appeared before Ludwig, startling him.
[You have received a clue on how to remove the limitation of spell slots.]
[Sudden Quest!]
Spell Mastery
❖ Objective: Learn three different spells within one week.
❖ Difficulty Level: E.
❖ Reward: Achievement: [Spell Mastery].
Ludwig’s eyes widened at the implications. He’d been struggling with the decision of which spells to learn, but this was a chance to transcend that limitation.
Van Dijk noticed Ludwig’s distracted expression. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Ludwig replied quickly, a spark of determination igniting within him. He had more flexibility now—more potential than he’d thought possible. He just needed to seize it.
Van Dijk smirked knowingly. “Good. Now get to work. And remember—recklessness will not be tolerated.”
Ludwig nodded, resolve solidifying in his mind. He was ready to embrace this next challenge, whatever it might bring.