Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 599: Fear and Failure

”To be able to summon the creatures of the five elemental planes, you must have a deep knowledge of the School of Summoning and also have the ability to be able to manipulate the boundaries between the Spirit World and the material world,” said Professor Whitaker.

The lecture continued as the old professor explained the intricacies of advanced summoning magic.

”Spells like Summon Elemental and Summon Beast, both of which are Rank 2 spells, act as bridges between the material world and the Spirit World,” she continued.

”It allows the creature to be summoned to our world for some time. Students, please note that the creatureʼs strength, the number of creatures, and the duration of summoning are all related to the casterʼs mana reserves.”

”In other words,” Professor Whitaker added after a brief pause. ”The greater the mana reserves, the greater the effects of summoning magic.”

Adam rested his chin on his palm as he listened to the lecture. He thought to himself in boredom, Thanks to Valerian, my mana reserves have increased to a much greater degree. This will allow me to excel at summoning magic.

That is to say, only those Magi with exceptional aptitude are fit to major in the School of Summoning. Sigh, talent really is everything in this world. Not to mention, the amount of resources required.

”Other than spells catered to our school, there are summoning circles that can be used as anchors to focus this type of magic,” Professor Whitaker continued as she walked back toward the podium, standing behind the lectern.

”Summoning circles are very similar to magic circles that we used to cast spells, except they are inscribed on a solid surface during the act of summoning.

”They can help us stabilize the connection between the Spirit World and the material world and call forth the creature we have signed a contract with.”

The old professor looked around the classroom at all the students jotting down notes and asked, ”Other than these two methods that allow us to summon creatures from the Spirit World, there is one other way. Can someone tell me what that is?”

A beautiful blonde elf sitting in the front row of the classroom raised her hand. She was wearing a traditional dress that one would often see aristocratic women of Ravenfell wear. Over her dress, she wore Saratogaʼs gray cloak with the raven insignia.

Professor Whitaker glanced at this elf and gestured with a smile. ”Go ahead, Qamara.”

Adamʼs gaze drifted toward the elven girl, thinking to himself, Qamara Feno, hmm. Her family, along with the Flynns, is one of the seven aristocratic families of Ravenfell to be part of the city council.

The elven lady was very good friends with Daneli. The latter had introduced Adam to her a long time ago, leading to their friendship—if one could even call it that.

At most, they were acquaintances and Adam didnʼt really like her much. Qamara, after all, had an inborn pride that prevented her from mingling with people from other races. Like most elves, she believed her race to be the superior one.

Cocky bitch, Adam snorted in annoyance before turning to draw funny-looking snakes in his notebook.

Qamara answered in a polite manner, her voice sweet and crisp like a nightingale, ”Professor, the final method is ritual summoning. Some creatures of the Spirit World, especially powerful beings, require time-intensive rituals.

”These rituals may require the caster to include specific incantation, rare magical materials, and in some cases, even astrological alignments.”

She paused for a moment before continuing, ”Apart from the drawback of the rituals taking up too much time, there is one other major drawback. The strength of the summoned creature in some cases would be greater than the summoner.”

”Very good,” the professor praised. The next moment, her expression turned serious and she continued, ”That brings us to the challenges we Magi face in summoning creatures from the Spirit World.”

She raised her index finger and began explaining, ”Number one - hostile entities. Even though the five elemental planes of the Spirit World are safe for summoners to interact with, that doesnʼt mean every resident of those planes will be friendly to us.

”Second, planar barriers. Some planes, such as the Elemental Plane of Earth, have strong barriers that prevent easy summoning. Magi must use their advanced knowledge or have a strong bond with their summons to bypass the planeʼs defenses.

”Lastly, unintended consequences. In some cases, summoning magic might accidentally pull through creatures the Magus did not intend to call. A ritual summoning gone awry could open the door to an uncontrolled evil creature or a very powerful, angry elemental.”

Professor Whitaker looked at all the students present and spoke in a heavy tone, ”Summoning magic always carries the risk of unintended consequences, making this type of magic both a potent and a perilous arcane art.”

The lecture continued as the students continued to ask Professor Whitaker questions from time to time. The old lady patiently answered them one by one.

Such an opportunity to be diligently taught by a powerful Mana Vortex Magus could perhaps only be found in the Four Pillars of the Empire, thus the reason why kids from all over the continent try their best to get admitted into one of these prestigious institutions.

While Adam was absentmindedly drawing snakes in his notebook, his mind drifted toward the memories of the expert whose soul heʼd recently devoured. More specifically, it was the manʼs memory of the plane filled with snakes known as the Coil of Eternity.

Other Magi specializing in the School of Summoning would have to form a contract with spirits or elementals from different Elemental Planes to have access to a wide variety of elemental magic they could freely use, he pondered.

But from what Iʼve seen in that Magusʼs memories, the Coil of Eternity is home to snakes that specialize in a wide variety of magic. Not to mention the snakes specializing in the five elements, Iʼd also seen snakes wielding poison magic, shadow magic, ice magic, etc.

Meaning, that, unlike other summoners, I wonʼt have to waste my time and risk traveling to the various planes in the Spirit World and sign a contract with the planeʼs inhabitants. Instead, I could just go to the serpent plane. But…

Adamʼs expression gradually darkened. He hated snakes! Ignoring the fact that he and the unborn Valerian were almost eaten by one in the Spirit World, even as a child he had a fear of snakes.

He took a deep breath and continued his train of thought, No, I must overcome my fear of those foul creatures. I should, at the very least, visit the Coil of Eternity and see what itʼs about.

After all, the magical resources that plane contained allowed that yellow-eyed Magus to advance to great heights and become a powerhouse in the Greater Universe! Phew… Yes, I have to overcome my fear of snakes.

His hands involuntarily clenched as he thought of another thing, If… by chance Iʼm still unable to get over my fear… Sigh, I still have the coordinates of the five elemental planes and many other planes in the Spirit World.

Adam resolved himself and finally decided. Iʼll visit the serpent plane first. If things donʼt work out, then Iʼll head to the elemental planes.

About an hour later, the lecture finally ended. During that time, Professor Whitaker summoned Rank 2 spirits from the five elemental planes that she had a contract with to demonstrate their prowess to the students.

Furthermore, she also happily gifted everyone the coordinates to one elemental plane of their choosing. The old woman always was a very generous person, going to great lengths to help her students in any way she could.

All the graduate students gradually exited the classroom. Professor Whitaker walked toward the last bench where Adam was sitting.

She silently sat down beside him and asked with slight concern in her tone, ”What is it, Adam? Youʼve been very absentminded throughout the class. Is something bothering you?”

Adam snapped out of his daze and hurriedly shook his head. ”Ah, itʼs nothing.” However, he felt the old womanʼs gaze boring into him and couldnʼt help but awkwardly add. ”Actually, there is something.”

He looked at her and asked, ”May I ask you something personal?”

Professor Whitaker chuckled lightly, ”Of course, as long as it is not my catastrophic attempts at Herbalism during my early years.”

Adam smiled faintly. He then asked, ”What would you do if you were… scared of something? How would you face your fears?”

”Fear,” said the old professor, leaning back in her seat. ”A constant companion, yet an excellent teacher.”

”I would first name it,” she continued. ”Is it your past? Or your future? Naming it strips it of some of its power.”

”What if itʼs something more… tangible?” Adam asked.

”Tangible or not, it already holds sway over you,” Professor Whitaker answered. ”A nameless fear festers in the dark. Shine a light on it, and you may find that itʼs not so invincible as it seemed.”

”What then?” Adam asked again. ”After naming it?”

”Then confront it,” said the old woman matter-of-factly. ”You donʼt have to confront it all at once. You see, sometimes a beast is too large to face head-on. Confront it piece by piece, step by step.”

Adam exhaled a deep sigh, slouching in his chair. ”What if I fail? What if I cannot overcome this fear?”

”Failure is a lesson, my dear,” said the old professor with a gentle smile. ”If you fail, you learn where your step faltered, and you try again. Always remember, fear thrives on the thought of failure. Perseverance is its bane.”

”I hope I can be brave enough…” Adam softly muttered, thinking of the Coil of Eternity.

”Bravery doesnʼt have to be loud or bold,” Professor Whitaker comforted the youth. ”Sometimes, it is a quiet whisper that says, ʼIʼll try again tomorrow.ʼ”

Adam turned his head to look at the old woman. For a moment, he was reminded of his dear teacher, Berger.

He thought that no matter how many yearsʼ worth of memories he absorbed from the souls, he would never be as wise as these two teachers.

”Yeah…” he smiled. ”If I fail, Iʼll just try again tomorrow.”