Steampunk Era: Mad Abield

In the past three months, Colin felt that his entire worldview was completely refreshed by that boy named Malin—yes, the one thoroughly versed in both Blessing Spells and Curse Formulas.

Normally, Blessing Spells and Curse Formulas are mutually exclusive. For instance, the Divine Gift from Blessing Spell Formations and the physical debility from Curse Formulas are two Spell Formations that are absolutely impossible to learn or master simultaneously.

But that boy managed to use them both on the same day, without any discomfort or backlash, and his learning ability was so rapid that it made Colin seriously doubt his own abilities—even though Colin himself was once a prodigy, it took him a long time to dare to learn the physical debility Curse after mastering Blessing nine and Curse two.

It seemed easy when that boy learned it, but if Colin tried, at best he'd suffer a backlash, and at worst, he might lose his life.

Moreover, his mentor also mentioned that there would always be one or two monster-like geniuses in this world. For example, a few years ago on a visit to a village in the forest, they discovered an old man over eighty years old. In a world where the average lifespan was sixty, such an aged person naturally piqued the Church's curiosity and, upon examination, they found he was someone with a ten-fold affinity for Blessing Spells.

Unfortunately, heroes do grow old, and three years later, that old man died when his time came... Forget it, forget it. The world is so big, there will always be one or two geniuses and freaks more powerful than oneself. Besides, there's no need to envy him too much, as after all, everyone lives under the glow of the gods.

"Mr. Colin, what is the lesson this afternoon?" asked Malin.

"Oh, it's Spell Formation class." Colin discovered that the two teachers who taught this child Spellcasting had resigned without a word.

"The teachers did not prepare any other Spell Models, and they said they would be ready tomorrow," Malin answered with a smile.

Seeing that the boy had already learned Divine Gift and physical debility, Colin once again respected the Thainan adage "There is always someone better out there."

He also became interested in testing the youngster: "Come, kid, let me feel your Spell Formation. Attack me with physical debility."

"Eh, Sir Colin, is this really okay?" A nearby guard cast a concerned look their way.

"Guard, it's fine. This child is still learning Spell Formation for the first time today. I don't think his understanding of Spellcasting is sophisticated enough to harm me. And physical debility is just a first-circle Spell, at most it would just be uncomfortable for a day," Colin explained to the guard with a smile. Then he turned back to Malin: "Come on, kid."

"Then I shall use the Spell," said Malin with a nod, clearly nervous.

"What are you waiting for, you—" Colin was just about to ask why the boy wasn't approaching to cast the Spell when he saw him extend a finger toward himself.

The next second, a ray shot straight toward his chest, hitting him unawares.

Wait, hold on, Spell ray formation? Silent casting?

And then, Colin felt like someone who had just tumbled into a lake, or a hapless person struck by a horse.

He fell to the ground amidst excruciating pain all over his body and lost consciousness.

.............

Four hours later, Colin woke up in the emergency treatment room, much to the relief of the elderly who'd heard the news: "Are you alright, Colin?"

"I feel pain all over my body, Mentor. That child... was it really his first day learning the Curse Spell Formation, the ray-like spellcasting, and it seemed to be a silent cast too?" Colin moved slightly, then let out a low moan of pain.

The pain was all over, as if he'd been hit by a carriage and then run over again.

"I've observed his spellcasting; it wasn't a silent cast, but rather, he lowered the volume to an extremely low pitch. This child's vocal range is broader than that of us humans, to the point where we can't hear his Spell Formation chanting. Members of our Church who are cat-people have said that they can hear it, so it's definitely not a silent cast. However, he did demonstrate an incredible creativity by speeding up the chanting process and omitting a few notes, reducing the chant time by about 0.5 seconds without weakening the power of the Spell Formation," the old man said as he opened a window, leaned against it, and lit a cigarette for himself.

"But what about the ray-like effect? Is there an issue with that?"

"That should be a special effect brought by his bloodline. We have found that not only the Curse Spell Formation's physical weakening has become ray-like, but even the Divine Gift Spell Formation has taken on a ray-like form and comes with an enhancing effect. Spell recipients have reported feeling at least 2 points stronger. It's an inimitable bloodline ability. Truly, he is an exceptional child," the old man said with a smile. "With this little Brother here, I am even more reassured about you taking the position I have vacated for you."

"But Mentor, if this child is so remarkable, shouldn't I be the one assisting him?" Colin struggled to sit up.

"I can see that indeed, he is a talented child. But in his eyes, there are others who need him more, and so, he will not take on the position that requires a lifetime of dedication... As for you and Mason, I see in both of you all the qualities needed for this position. Therefore, I will not force this child to become a Priest. The world is vast, and there will always be a place that requires his presence," the old man finished, then turned his head to glance outside the window. "If you can get up, then come and watch this child's first combat training lesson."

...

Malin pulled out a shortsword suitable for him from the weapon rack, then tested his wrist to ensure his armor wouldn't hinder him before heading towards the Half-human instructor responsible for teaching.

"Dear Malin, why did you choose a shortsword?" the Half-human instructor asked, holding a short stick. She was curious, "After all, there are so many weapons on that rack, and I remember kids like you usually favor the Knight Commander's longsword."

"Then I would have to lug it around to fight you, Your Excellency," Malin replied with a smile, lowering his body appropriately and positioning his legs apart, one in front of the other, to find a good balance point.

"Your father taught you that." The Half-human also raised the short stick in his hand.

"No, I learned it on the streets fighting for food." Recalling the time when he first arrived and had to fight over a piece of black bread, Malin said reflectively, then lunged, and the Half-human instructor naturally deflected it with the stick.

"That thrust had some style, but combat is not a street brawl. Every mistake in a fight with Spirits can be lethal," said the instructor as he parried another slash from Malin. "Hold on a moment, Mr. Malin."

Malin stuck out his tongue cheekily and stepped back, "Your Excellency, what do you mean?"

"Today is the first day, and I don't want you to fight me without any foundation. Therefore, I've prepared the most basic training for you. What you need to do today is to swing the weapon in your hand six hundred times, in three sets, in a chopping motion." The Half-human smiled, "The last kid who carried a greatsword couldn't even complete half of it, but I think you should have no problem."

Malin nodded, "Yes, Your Excellency. Greed always leads to misfortune."

This response made the Half-human instructor laugh. "Why didn't you ask me why you need to swing the weapon six hundred times?"

"Because I think it's a way to familiarize oneself with the weapon they hold. Although it's tedious, compared to preserving one's own life, such hardship is nothing," Malin stated as an adult, naturally not behaving like a child. For him, learning martial skills was fundamentally about survival – showing off would come only after mastering such life-saving skills.

To risk one's life showing off is the ultimate folly.