5 The Art of the Turtling Mage

..

The divination failed.

Matthew stuffed the crystal ball into the cabinet with a calm expression.

This was very normal.

He was a necromancer and had no talent for divination.

Even though he had always taken time to fiddle with it out of his love for divination over the years.

But the result was obviously not satisfactory.

He calmed down a little.

Matthew finally arrived at the westernmost room in the basement.

There were two large bookcases here, and magic books were placed on them.

He was ready to learn some spells that matched his current level.

..

Matthew was now a Level-8 Necromancer.

However, the spells on his system were still the ones he had learned at level 5.

It was time for an update.

In Rolling Stone Town.

It was not easy to buy a magic book that recorded the principles of magic.

Not to mention, it was related to the path of the dead.

Fortunately, Matthew was prepared for the problem.

He had always asked his friends in Baiyan City to help him purchase them in advance.

In addition to the portion gifted by Great Mage Ronan.

The spellbooks in this room were enough to support Matthew's needs until he reached level 10.

His gaze swept back and forth between the bookshelves.

A moment later.

Matthew made a list of spells for himself.

This was the spell he was going to learn next.

..

"Pseudocide (Level 7 spell, can fake death to escape);

..

The Last Dance (Level 8 spell, can detonate non-contracted summons);

..

Vampiric Touch (Level 6 spell, can absorb life force by touching others to heal oneself);

..

Garcia's Armor II (Level-6 spell, an advanced version of the Level-2 spell, Garcia's Armor I, Physical Defense);

..

Thunderblast Sword (Level-7 spell, enchants the longsword and gains the special effect of lightning);

..

Strengthened Summoning (Level 8 spell, increases the effect of Undead Summoning)

..

Learning spells was not an easy task for most people.

Most mages spent almost half of their time studying and mastering spells.

If these six spells were taught to other necromancers of the same level, it would take at least 10 months.

And this was under the condition of going all out.

But Matthew was different.

The speed at which he learned spells was in inverse proportion to his talent in divination.

He was confident that it would not be a problem for him to finish studying them within three months.

..

"Next, I have to focus on learning spells. I have to apply for leave from school…"

Matthew came to the meditation room with a stack of books.

It was close to midnight.

He was a little sleepy.

"Peggy, a cup of coffee!"

No one responded.

So Matthew could only make a cup of black coffee himself.

The bitter and mellow taste immediately made him shudder.

"I'm energized…"

Matthew pursed his lips.

He casually flipped open a thick book.

On the title page.

The string of mischievous magic words jumped out.

It danced around Matthew's nose.

..

[Garcia's Armor II: The Art of Turtling Mages

..

[Note: Garcia's self-deprecating skill is as good as his skill. I recommend that every mage learn one of Garcia's spells-Ronan]

..

" Grand Mage Ronan. I hope that his journey to the astral plane will go smoothly."

Matthew smiled.

Master Ronan was the greatest benefactor he had met since he transmigrated.

Back then, Matthew had just transmigrated and had no idea about this world. Other than the tree-planting mission, he had no clues.

However, planting trees also required money, land, and other resources.

Matthew had been wandering around Rolling Stone Town for a while, and he was almost down and out to the point where he could not afford to eat.

At the crucial moment.

Ronan, who happened to pass by, pulled him back.

He invited Matthew to his house for dinner and asked him why a spellcaster who studied the path of necromancy did not go to Baiyan City to develop himself but wandered around a place like Rolling Stone Town with no future.

Matthew said that his talent in the path of necromancy was mediocre, but he was unwilling to stop there, so he suddenly had an idea.

"The path of necromancy studies death and life, but most necromancers seem to only care about death and not life, so I want to try it from a different angle…

"I plan to plant some trees near Rolling Stone Town. It would be best if I could plant a forest. I want to feel the power of life through this move. It might be helpful for my breakthrough in the Path of Necromancy."

This was a lie Matthew made up to get two more meals.

He didn't expect these words to pique Ronan's interest.

At that time, he had expressed his admiration for Matthew's unconventional ideas.

Ronan told Matthew.

He could plant trees on his land.

Moreover, the cost of buying seeds and green liquid, Ronan planned to fund half of it.

Matthew was flattered.

But he still refused Ronan's kindness.

He planned to rely on his own strength to buy the seeds.

Ronan didn't mind.

He wrote a letter of recommendation on the spot, allowing Matthew to go to the Seaver Public School to teach the children of the nobles in the town. Matthew could choose the subjects himself.

After that.

Ronan also helped Matthew in life, work, and planting trees.

Even Matthew's house was provided by Ronan.

Later, Matthew found out half of the houses in the Mage District belonged to Ronan.

The other half belonged to his wife.

Rolling Stone Town was Ronan's hometown, although he spent most of his time in Jewel Bay.

However, he was the reason why Rolling Stone Town had not suffered any natural or man-made disasters over the years.

..

As for the Great Wizard Ronan.

Matthew was still grateful.

However, he was also very clear about the reason why the other party helped him.

It was impossible to cling to Ronan forever.

He still had to rely on his own strength to grow truly.

Thinking of this.

Matthew focused his attention.

He began to concentrate on studying spells.

..

The next day.

Matthew walked out of the security office, followed by two guards. They carried the merchant's body into the oak forest.

Matthew skillfully dug a hole and buried him, completing the ghost's wish.

Of course.

Since he was already there, Matthew did not forget to plant three oak trees.

30 XP was credited.

Matthew was satisfied.

..

In the afternoon.

Blake came with the report.

He told Matthew.

The underground cave had already been investigated.

He did not find any other clues.

The cave was connected to seven or eight deep tunnels, which could lead to almost any place in the Gold Digger Basin. Even the best tracking expert could only scratch his head in this situation.

This was in line with Matthew's judgment.

It also proved that he was right not to investigate recklessly.

As for the surroundings of the Ghost Castle mentioned by the ghost...

As that place had declined for many years and was far away in the mountains, it was highly dangerous. Therefore, Blake was still gathering manpower.

He promised Matthew that he would inform him as soon as he found anything new.

..

One night a week later.

In the basement.

"Vs'Boo.."

A short incantation sounded.

Matthew's body was suddenly covered with a layer of thick translucent armor!

..

[Your spell, Garcia's Armor II, has been successfully cast!

Physical Defense +8

[Duration: 180 seconds]

..

He had succeeded!

He felt the soft and bouncy feeling of being wrapped up everywhere.

Matthew was intoxicated.

It felt like he was wrapped in a huge piece of jelly.

It's not heavy.

However, its defense was very high.

"According to Turtling Mage, Garcia's armor's greatest feature is that it can be stacked on top of each other. Level I and II can provide 3 and 8 points of armor, respectively.

" As expected of a turtle turtling mage, I like it!"

Matthew was just about to continue exploring the technique of stacking two spells.

Suddenly.

An illusion appeared before his eyes.

At that moment.

He seemed to see a corner of the oak forest!

The illusion disappeared in an instant.

Immediately, a warm current surged into Matthew's heart.

He suddenly had some knowledge in his mind!

..

[Your ability 'Nature's Gift' is in effect...]

You have gained new abilities, Appraisal and Accountant.

[Appraisal: You can accurately estimate the value and price of most goods circulating in Jiliu City.]

[Accountant: You have mastered a certain amount of financial knowledge and are qualified for a basic accounting position.]

..

Appraisal?

Accountant?

Matthew was confused.

"Is this also a gift from nature?" he muttered to himself.

At this moment.

Matthew suddenly remembered.

The corner of the oak forest that he had just caught a glimpse of seemed to be the place where he had buried the merchant's body!

"I buried the body, and nature gave me a part of his ability?"

This speculation was absurd and even terrifying.

But Matthew felt that it was very likely that it was the truth!

"Do I only need to bury the body, or do I need to fulfill the last wish of the deceased?

"How many corpses can I bury? Was there a limit to this kind of gift? Would I get a negative ability?"

Matthew stopped thinking.

Everything had to be done in practice.

He noticed.

In the mission panel, the Taichi symbol had changed.

The green energy bar on the right side had risen by a large margin, and it looked like it was about to reach two-thirds of the energy bar.

This should also be related to the 'gift' just now.

" There's no rush. Let's take our time and see. Even if there's a shortcut to obtaining the gift, I have to be careful. I can't turn Great Wizard Ronan's land into a mass grave…"

Matthew's eyes flickered slightly.

"At this moment, you finally look the part of the evil necromancer."

At the basement entrance, Peggy said charmingly as she leaned against the wall.

Matthew ignored her coquettish posture. "Is dinner ready so early?"

Paige shook her head.

"Big Beard is here. He seems to be in a hurry to see you."

..

At the gate of the fence.

"What is it? Someone kidnapped Sif?!"

Matthew was shocked.

Blake nodded hurriedly.

..

"Don't make a fuss. I just received the news. The other party asked for a ransom, but the lord judged that the other party was only stalling for time and thus delaying the rescue.

" Currently, the Suki Clan is secretly gathering people. I had already led my team to Ghost Castle, but I had no choice but to return after receiving such an urgent report…Of course, it was only right. Nothing could compare to Miss Sif's safety."

Blake concluded, " I'm here to remind you to be careful. There might be more abnormalities happening in the future. You don't have to worry about Miss Sif. Everyone will do their best."

..

With that, he left in a hurry.

Matthew frowned.

Sif was the only daughter of this generation of the Suki Family.

She was also his student.

Just like Beanna.

The girls at the school liked Matthew very much.

Matthew remembered the last time he saw Sif.

The girl even told Matthew that she had written an anonymous letter to the City Hall, recommending him to be this year's outstanding citizen. Later, the people from the City Hall really came to confirm it.

Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye.

Sif had been kidnapped!

Kidnapping the only daughter of the Suki Family in Rolling Stone Town was too outrageous.

The other party was really daring.

Either it had been planned for a long time, or they were simply mad!

Even Ronan's title of Great Mage couldn't suppress this madness.

How crazy was this?

Matthew felt deeply uneasy for Sif.

Unfortunately, he did not have any clues about the kidnappers.

Divination was not his forte.

'I'm afraid I can't help.'

..

He closed the door.

Matthew sighed softly.

The Tauren skeleton's voice came from the kitchen. "Dinner is ready!"

Matthew was about to go over.

Suddenly.

A white light flashed in front of him.

An oak tree fairy rushed towards him in a panic!

"What's wrong?"

Matthew listened to the fairy's complaints.

His expression became more and more serious.

" Someone set the fire?!"

"It's almost near the oak forest?"

..