If this conjecture is accurate, then [Shaping Magic·Clay] is not just a simple stand-alone spell, but possesses the potential to evolve into a whole magical series.
By drawing on the spirituality of birds to create a clay bird, and if combined with some kind of visual sharing spell, it would be akin to having a high-altitude telescope.
By drawing on the spirituality of a spider, wrapping simple explosives inside, or combining it with a destructive fire spell, it becomes a moving landmine.
If there’s enough clay, he could even create a large clay doll to temporarily serve as a mount or for other functions.
A quick thought gave Gauss an endless stream of inspiration.
Of course, it’s important to know that most spell models are relatively limited and do not support spontaneous "ideas." Only some extremely rare spells have such divergent potential.
Gauss hopes his feeling is correct, which would mean the illustrated reward is not merely a simple 2nd-level spell.
With this in mind, he prepared to practice it for real.
He took out a lump of white clay from the Storage Pouch, which he had acquired from that golem before.
The overall volume was about the size of a basketball.
He didn’t take much for this practice session.
Just a lump the size of an egg, placing it in the palm of his left hand.
Meanwhile, his right hand grasped the White Magic Wand, summoning the spell model from deep within his consciousness.
The magic power in his body began to flow slowly.
Unfortunately, it only flowed for a while before awkwardly getting blocked.
Gauss wasn’t surprised by this.
Starting to practice an entirely new spell always requires some studying, especially when it’s a spell meant for casters of level 3 and above, making it even harder to cast.
Fortunately, based on his past experiences, this process wouldn’t take too long.
Gauss tried several times.
The magic power of the Clay Magic successfully entered the white clay.
The white clay in his hands squirmed like a maggot a few times before calming down again.
"Caw caw!"
Above, the returning Raven Aik sounds an alert.
Gauss had to temporarily set his practice aside.
To continue his monster-clearing tasks.
In his spare time, he continued practicing the clay magic.
He wished to master this 2nd-level spell as soon as possible.
Since he wasn’t secretive, Aaliyah and Serdur soon noticed what he was doing.
"New magic?"
"Yes." Gauss nodded. "It’s related to clay."
"..." Aaliyah was silent for a moment.
"You folks with bloodlines have it good, awakening spells even without spending money."
Gauss had also shown her the [Ghost Form] these past few days, so now she thought Gauss was a human with a high purity of ancient bloodline.
And because of this, she also had an explanation for Gauss’ abnormal physical qualities and the occasional new spells that surfaced.
For ordinary people, it’s rare to awaken any special bloodline unless they are of a non-pure human race like Serdur, but once awakened, they undergo varying degrees of mutation.
Some mutations are beneficial, while others are harmful.
Beneficial mutations retain the human’s outward appearance and do not affect the mind, allowing mastery over the innate powers of other races, while harmful mutations struggle to maintain human identity, being overpowered by foreign blood, which in turn pollutes the mind, rendering one a complete beast or demon.
In her view, Gauss’s mutation was undoubtedly the highest form of beneficial mutation.
An opportunity envied by all adventurers.
Faced with Aaliyah’s envy, Gauss remained silent, focusing solely on his practice.
Under these circumstances, anything he says would sound like bragging.
Silence was the kindest action.
...
Gauss put away the clay in his hand.
After several hours of practice, he achieved preliminary results.
Now the clay in his hand could change shapes according to his intention, though slowly, it at least indicated an entry-level grasp.
2nd-level Spell [Shaping Magic·Clay] lv1 (1/10)
As long as it appears on the skill panel, he was not worried about its practice progress.
Gauss breathed a sigh of relief.
"It’s getting late, let’s head back to the hall first."
Just in time, Raven Aik returned from its scouting mission.
This time it hadn’t found any sign of monsters nearby.
The three nodded in agreement.
Under Gauss’s leadership, the trio headed straight toward the first-floor hall entrance.
The ambient light in the air dimmed slightly.
Approaching the hall, the warm glow of bonfires and torches brightened the surroundings.
The vast hall was bustling with activity, adventurers gathered here, some fetching water by the fountain, others setting up small fires to cook in a corner.
Those with better conditions spend in the surrounding shops to relieve a day’s fatigue.
Returning to the hall, the three of them were once again clean and tidy.
"Shall we cook ourselves or eat out?"
Looking at the bustling hall, Gauss left the choice to his teammates.
"I’m fine with anything." Serdur shrugged. He wasn’t picky about food, even having eaten the kind of creepy crawlies goblins eat.
"Let’s go to a restaurant, my treat." Aaliyah’s gaze lingered on Gauss and Serdur for a moment before she spoke up.
Considering her two teammates’ questionable food choices, she wanted a proper meal after a tiring day, fearing Gauss might bring out the long, thin water bugs they caught earlier for dinner.