Riezel, Yuri, Marilyn, Ain, and Ian had separate rooms in the ship's cabin.
Among them, Yuri's room was located deepest in the cabin and was the largest in size, which was estimated to be enough for five people. After agreeing to teach him magic, she brought him back to this room and sat down in front of a round table in the center.
Afterward, Yuri, sitting in front of Riezel, prepared something.
It was a strange-looking object, somewhat resembling a large compass and a bit like a clock as well.
In the center of the compass was set a palm-sized gem, filled with water, and the area around the gem was evenly divided into four parts, each with seven markings.
"What's this?" Riezel looked at the compass and doubtfully asked.
Yuri, however, didn't answer his question but instead made a contemplative gesture.
"You started attending Spriller Academy two years ago, right?" Yuri suddenly asked.
"Yeah..." Riezel, though feeling curious, still honestly answered her question. "It's been exactly two years this year, and graduation is still three years away."
Those with the talent to become excellent magicians could take the entrance examination for Spriller Academy at the age of fifteen, and upon passing, they could enroll.
After enrollment, students could spend up to five years at the academy, until they reach the age of twenty. If they fail the graduation exam, their enrollment would be revoked, and they couldn't claim to be graduates of Spriller Academy.
The original Riezel entered the academy at the age of fifteen and was now seventeen, exactly two years since.
As a girl the same age as Riezel, Yuri graduated early, spending only a year at Spriller Academy. But in that year, she completed all her studies, so her knowledge was actually higher than that of any other student at the academy.
Upon learning about his situation at the academy, Yuri nodded in understanding.
"Since that's the case, you haven't started learning professional magic knowledge yet." Yuri said, looking at his face.
"Professional magic knowledge?" Riezel wasn't quite clear about what she meant.
"In other words, you still don't understand enough about what the field of 'magic' is."
After saying that, Yuri began to explain.
"Spriller Academy is a five-year magic academy. The first two years are basically about teaching the basics, which is some elementary magic. It's only in the third year that the academy starts spreading professional magic knowledge, allowing you to clarify your position and understand your magic compatibility."
"In this world, there are countless types of magic, countless in number."
"There's elemental system magic that can unleash flames, lightning, or freeze everything into ice."
"There's also mind system magic that can alter cognition, manipulate minds, and toy with all living beings."
"In addition, there are also explosion system magic, precognition system magic, summoning system magic, strengthening system magic, and so on."
"But generally, all magic in the world can be classified into four major systems."
After saying that, Yuri pointed to the compass in front of her. Around the compass's gem, in the four equally divided areas, there were lines of small text.
Those four lines of small text respectively read:
—Transformation System.
—Control System.
—Interference System.
—Structure System.
"These are the four major magic systems, and all magic in the world is classified under them."
Yuri's voice echoed softly as she continued her explanation.
"Transformation system refers to all magic that attaches one or more attributes to magical energy, enabling it to take shape instantly upon release. For example, elemental system magic directly attaches elemental attributes such as 'Fire', 'Water', 'Lightning', or 'Wind' to magical energy before shaping it into magic. The effects are evident the moment it is released. Magic of this kind, which transforms magical energy into other attributes before release, is known as transformation system magic."
"Control system refers to all magic capable of controlling or dominating external substances or concepts. For instance, summoning magic can summon beings like monsters or puppets, and control them for combat. Such magic falls under the control system, including manipulation of the earth, manipulation of plants, and similar magic."
"Interference system encompasses all magic that can affect oneself or others. Mind system magic I mentioned earlier falls into this category, capable of interfering with minds, cognition, emotions, and memories. Strengthening system magic also falls into this category, involving interference with oneself, whether strengthening the body or enhancing the mind. Even recovery system magic and healing system magic belong to the interference system."
"Structure system includes all magic capable of forming material substances. Alchemy magic falls into this category, whether refining gold or crafting other substances. Any magic used to refine or manufacture something belongs to the structure system. Magic weapons, magic items, potions, and similar magic items are generally crafted by magicians proficient in structure system magic."
"These four are the major magic systems, forming the basic framework that encompasses all magic in the world."
"Now, here's the question."
"When magicians want to learn magic, can they just study whatever kind of magic they want, based on their interests?"
"The answer is no."
"Just as everyone's body differs subtly and everyone has different areas of expertise, typically, there will be people who are more suited to one or more systems. After all, excelling in the magic systems that suit you best will make it easier to succeed in it."
"This is what's known as 'magic compatibility'."
"Magicians learning magic in the systems where they are more likely to excel, which is where their magic compatibility is higher, is the wisest course of action."
Yuri explained what she knew about magic energetically to Riezel while tapping the compass in front of her.
"This is the magic item used to test one's magic compatibility."
According to her view, everyone had compatibility in each magic system, it was just a matter of whether it was high or low.
"Calculating one's overall magic compatibility to a total of '100', this value is distributed among the four major magic systems. Whichever system has the highest value indicates one's higher compatibility with that system."
"Magic compatibility ranges from a maximum of '70' to a minimum of '10'. Even in the case of extremely high compatibility, where one has the highest compatibility in one of the four major magic systems, the other three systems will still have at least '10' compatibility. So, one's highest compatibility in one system is capped at '70'."
Yuri pursed her lips before continuing her explanation.
"For example, tactical-class magic, regardless of the type, requires a magician to have at least '50' compatibility within the corresponding system to cast the magic, otherwise it cannot be used."
"The Tactical-Class Magician who previously created the tactical-class barrier magic at my place proved his '50' magic compatibility in the structure system, as they were able to construct a barrier magic of such scale and magnitude. Without this degree of compatibility, becoming a Tactical-Class Magician is simply impossible."
"Strategic-Class Magicians have even stricter requirements for compatibility, requiring the highest compatibility of '70' within a certain magic system. Without this, even with abundant magical energy, strategic-class magic cannot be cast."
"Magical energy and compatibility, both must meet requirements for magicians to have the potential to cast corresponding class of magic."
With that, Yuri placed her hand on the gem of the compass.
*Zing—*
The gem immediately emitted a bright light, causing water to flow out from within. The water flowed toward the four areas around the gem, gradually filling the spaces inside.
However, the water flowed most abundantly into the control system area, quickly reaching the seventh mark and filling the area, while the water in the other three areas only reached the first mark, much less than the former.
"This is my magic compatibility..." Yuri said as she withdrew her hand.
The water in the compass quickly flowed back, soon refilling the empty gem. At the same time, the glow emanating from the gem soon faded.
"This is the testing method for magic compatibility. It's the knowledge that only becomes widespread at Spriller Academy in the third year. By then, you'll be testing your own magic compatibility and starting professional magic studies."
Yuri stated with a smile.
"If you want to learn magic from me, you'll need to test your magic compatibility first. It's best if it aligns with my magic system though."
Yuri was a Strategic-Class Magician proficient in control system magic. Hence, if Riezel also had high compatibility with the control system, learning magic from her would be extremely beneficial.
However, in the case he had the lowest magic compatibility of '10' in the control system, he could still learn, albeit with increased difficulty. Naturally, this also meant some advanced magic from the control system might be beyond his grasp.
"Of course, this is what I consider common sense." Yuri added with a meaningful tone. "If your so-called 'stroke of luck' can defy this common sense and allow you to learn my magic, that's a different story."
Upon hearing that, Riezel fell silent.