[Solstreus Magic Academy: 1F - Library]
The time it took Hecate to finish reading the books wasn't too long.
That was because unlike Natives, Players had the privilege of having a game system assistance and did not need to study books manually.
Players only need to turn the page once and watch for a while, then the content of that page will be recorded and they can be save that record to their pod. And then, any skills or spells in the book will be filtered by the game system for Players to learn.
The time it takes for each page to be recorded is based on the respective Player's INT stat.
The higher their INT, the shorter the time it will take to record a book. Hecate, who currently had 221+78 INT, only took less than 1 second to record a page, and finished the book in a few minutes. If other Players, especially those with low INT did it, it would likely take them several minutes to just record 1 page, and hours to finish a book.
You are reading Basic Spell Introduction Vol 1. Recording the content... Page 1 of 142 (Time: 0.7 seconds) - Finished. Page 2 of 142 (Time: 0.6 seconds) - In Progress. |
You have finished reading Basic Spell Introduction Vol 1. Record finished - B002303.gaiabook (Size: 9.6GB) The book is saved in the folder My Library/Ascension |
As for the real content itself, Hecate doesn't care too much, as those books were written in Neberl language. Although there were some clever Players who tried to decode this language into Japanese, translating it was too much of a hassle.
Ultimately, the books are from a game and the content is fictional, so there is no need to think too much about it.
♠♠♠
The contents of the book will take up the space in the pod in the form of a lossless 3D document format.
This is the standard VR-book format created by Gaia Corporation and has been acknowledged worldwide. This format saves every detail of the book, such as the texture of the paper, the author's handwriting, stains, even the smell on each page, while preserving the search function readability.
Hence, the file size of each book will be somewhat large.
Since it was a VR-book, naturally Players can materialize the book in other VR-space besides this game, or using Holo-projector in real life and read at their leisure. Though in the latter case, sensory information will be lost.
However, with such a large file size and the time required to record the book, not many Players are interested in recording books, especially for those using Basic and Standard Pods that have smaller storage space. It also took into account the factor that the books were unreadable, as these books were written in Neberl language, not Japanese or English.
Most of them only read books to learn the spells or techniques contained inside, and rarely bothered to save the record.
But that reasoning doesn't apply to Hecate which uses an executive-type pod.
Her pods have a massive 1 EB (Exabytes) of storage space and there's still plenty of free space, not to mention hundreds of EB of cloud storage, exclusive to executives. Storing hundreds of VR-books wasn't a problem for her.
As for why she kept those VR books, of course to sell them to the guild for profit.
The information inside the books in this game has a counterfeit protection, so it won't show in the screenshot or streaming. Also, trying to share it outside of the game is prohibited and may result in a violation of the terms. Therefore, exchanging those information can only be done within the game.
Naturally Hecate would take some GCP as fees for those who wanted to read her books in the guild. Fortunately, the guild interface has a function about trading information, and unlike items, information can be traded as much as possible as long as the files are not deleted.
♠♠♠
A few minutes later.
When the recording process was finished, there were already a few notifications that she set aside.
You spent 100 EXP on an attempt to record the Economized Firebolt... You have successfully recorded Economized Firebolt spell into your Skill Tree. |
You spent 120 EXP on an attempt to record the Enhanced Firebolt... You have successfully recorded Enhanced Firebolt spell into your Skill Tree. |
You spent 100 EXP on an attempt to record the Economized Waterbolt... You have successfully recorded Economized Waterbolt spell into your Skill Tree. |
You spent 120 EXP on an attempt to record the Enhanced Waterbolt... You have successfully recorded Enhanced Waterbolt spell into your Skill Tree. |
You spent 100 EXP on an attempt to record the Economized Windslash... You have successfully recorded Economized Windslash spell into your Skill Tree. |
You spent 120 EXP on an attempt to record the Enhanced Windslash... You have successfully recorded Enhanced Windslash spell into your Skill Tree. |
You spent 100 EXP on an attempt to record the Economized Stonespike... You have successfully recorded Economized Stonespike spell into your Skill Tree. |
You spent 120 EXP on an attempt to record the Enhanced Stonespike... You have successfully recorded Enhanced Stonespike spell into your Skill Tree. |
It was too much of a hassle to click confirm so Hecate had set the option to automatically record any newly discovered spells.
The spells from the Basic Spell Introduction books were derivatives of the tier 1 spells Hecate learned 2 years ago when she first became a Mage. At that time, she learned the original spells from a tome-type weapon called Beginner Mage Tome, distributed by the Mage Association in the Rosenweil Kingdom.
Hecate wasn't too surprised that Gemmerio Empire had more version of those spells than Rosenweil Kingdom. After all, the scale of the empire was much larger than the kingdom.
"If I guess right, Economized means less MP used but lower output, while Enhanced is the opposite."
She calmly analyzed the meaning of these spells from their name.
It was a straight meaning so she didn't take much time to figure it out. Most likely, the economized version is aimed at people with low MP, and the enhanced version is aimed at people who pursue perfection, even if it means using more MP.
Then, from her Skill Tree, she found that those spells were grouped to their originals and not treated as a separate spells. Perhaps this was because the essence of these spells was actually the same. This meant that if she invested SP into the spell Firebolt, then she could also use the other versions without difficulty.
"This enhanced version seems good to me, but in the end I have to invest SP to use it, right?"
Unfortunately, this one is a miss.
Hecate didn't want to use her SP to learn those spells, because it would overlap with the spells she got from her equipment. Ultimately, her current build was centered on her equipment and not her Skill Tree.
And suddenly, her focus shifted as she scrolled through the notifications to the earliest entry.
You have discovered the skill method of Basic Mana Control. It is judged that Precision Mana Control you have learned is more superior. |
You have discovered the method of Basic Mana Training. You are eligible to learn this method. |
Skill Name: | Basic Mana Training |
Requirement: | Basic Mana Control, INT 15, Human race |
Type: | Active |
Effect: | Trains the user's Mana Core to increase the user's magic potential. Practicing this method will give the user permanent bonuses by: • Increase Max MP by a certain extent. • Increase MP regeneration by a certain extent. |
Description: | The training method developed by the researchers of the Gemmerio Empire to nurture their younger generation who walk the path of the Mage. This method was a simplified form of the Supreme Mana Training method created by Lindell Souren to lower the requirements and reduce the difficulty of practicing. |
Looking at these notifications, Hecate's eyes glittered with excitement.
Basic Mana Control and Basic Mana Training, never heard about it. But from the name, it could be assumed that they were both important skills. Most likely, studying these two skills was the proper basic curriculum for Natives to become Mage. It was just Players who uses defiant way to skip the process and quickly reach the result.
The first skill could be ignored because it seemed that the Precision Mana Control she had learned through Mysticallurgy was actually better. What she was paying attention to was the second skill.
"Basic Mana Training... This actually can increase my maximum MP!"
Hecate let out a grin.
Having more MP is always good for a caster, because it means she can cast more spells. In addition, the total MP is also one of the biggest factors that affect Mana Explosion damage.
For more fabulous explosion, this skill must be learned!
She then click out the details of the method, and quickly summarized the content in her mind.
In short, she had to control her internal mana to flow within her magic circuit in a certain cyclical path, while also creating imaginary organs in several places to help her body absorb the mana in the surrounding air.
The first part of the exercise wasn't too difficult, Hecate just needed to control the mana to flow according to the instruction. It was short and completed within 10 seconds.
She repeated the cycle for another 9 times before she received a notification.
Proficiency has passed the minimum requirement. |
Skill Learned: Basic Mana Training (Active) You can increase your magic potential. |
You have successfully practiced Basic Mana Training. Your magic circuit has been slightly strengthened. Two passive skills has been generated. |
Precision Mana Control Proficiency +20 (1255/8500) EXP +100 |
Skill Learned: MP Supplement (Passive) Your maximum MP has been increased by 100 The proficiency of this skill can only be increased with Basic Mana Training. |
Skill Learned: MP Quick Recovery (Passive) Your MP Regeneration has been increased by 1% The proficiency of this skill can only be increased with Basic Mana Training. |
Hecate nodded with satisfaction when she saw the notification.
Just in case, she checked the library window and clicked on a few books, most notably Intermediate Spell Introduction Vol 1-5, as well as Advanced Spell Introduction Vol 1-5. Hecate caught the flying ten books and read them immediately.
But as expected, you can't just fly into the sky in one step.
You have discovered the skill method of Intermediate Mana Training. You do not meet the requirements to learn this method, because the prerequisite skill level, Basic Mana Training is not enough. |
You have discovered the skill method of Advanced Mana Training. You do not meet the requirements to learn this method, because you haven't learned the prerequisite skill, Intermediate Mana Training. |
Skill Name: | Intermediate Mana Training |
Requirement: | Basic Mana Training Lv10, INT 50, Human race |
Type: | Active |
Effect: | Unknown effect. |
Description: | The continuation method of Basic Mana Training developed by the researchers of the Gemmerio Empire. This method was derived from a part of the Supreme Mana Training method created by Lindell Souren. |
Other than some tier 2 and tier 3 derived spells, there was nothing to gain from these books yet. It seemed she had to raise her Basic Mana Training to Lv10 first before moving on to the next step.
At least, the information from these books has been recorded and can be read back at any time.
But suddenly she had a thought.
'Since there's a way to increase max MP, that means there's also a way to increase max HP out there!'
She immediately checked the library window again, and couldn't help but be baffled when she saw the long list of books. There were over 18 million books on the list and she didn't know what to look for. Even if she had Player privileges, reading all those books might take several years to complete.
And so, she went to the librarian again and asked.
"Excuse me, is there any recommended method to increase HP that can be learned?"
"Hmm, I don't know about this. How about trying to take a look at the Warrior training methods?"
"Thank you."
Following that suggestion, Hecate searched and found many books on Warrior-related training. She clicked and summoned about 15 books but unfortunately, none of them suited her.
You have discovered the skill method of Basic Aura Breathing. You do not meet the requirements to learn this method, because the method conflicted with your Mage path. |
You have discovered the skill method of Muscle Strengthening Motion. You do not meet the requirements to learn this method, because the method conflicted with your Mage path. |
You have discovered the skill method of Body Defense Reinforcement. You do not meet the requirements to learn this method, because the method conflicted with your Mage path. |
It seemed that the crucial problem was because of the Jobclass. Maybe this aura thing that used by Warriors doesn't go well with Mage's magic circuit, so it will cause conflict in the body.
"Oh well, if it doesn't work then so be it."
Hecate wasn't too disappointed with this result, as it was just a sudden idea. But then, she had another inspiration on her mind. Unlike the game avatar Hecate, the real body Yasaka Ruri in real world is that of a muggle.
Then, can Ruri practice this method in real life?
Looking at the contents of the breathing method, although she did not understand the language, the pictures clearly depicted the breathing posture, the special way of inhaling and exhaling, while doing some taichi-like exercises.
Seems believable.
However, this method is ultimately just a game method, and is only made to be believable for a more immersive gaming experience. Whether this method can be applied in reality, is not necessarily true.
But since Ruri could materialize items from the game inventory, maybe...
"Let's try it later at night."
She closed the book and contemplated.
Confirmation on this matter can be postponed later. Right now, she still had the objective of gathering information about Artificer and Runemaster first.
Thus, Hecate looked at the library window once more, and clicked another two books.
Here I was thinking she would try to practice the mana cultivation technique in real life with the help of some buffing equipment. Though the fact she only recently found out about the needed skill(s) it would probably be very difficult to make or find items that grant the skill.
On the other hand the warrior training may be of more use and value then magic without system help. Being stronger and sturdier is rarely a bad thing. Doubly so for a small permanent loli.
Maybe she'll realize last second that she can use mana stones with the mana cultivation technique and finally break free from her muggle bonds.
Don't really want to see a buff warrior loli. Hope she can discover some mage method that enhances the body's capabilities instead. Maybe call it the mana circulation technique, creates mana pathways within the body that mana will passively flow through to enhance the body.
Ruri the daoist...
Interesting twist having her develop her real self (at least for now) in the opposite direction of her mage class in the game, I really hope it works!
[...]executive-type pod.
The pods have a massive 100 TB of storage space[...]
i wouldn't call 100TB massive in a world where minor unannounced updates are nearly 1TB. normal expansions alone would be around 10-20TB and the game itself over 100TB. I guess you could reduce the size a bit if you argue that not everything is stored on the user side (which would be necessary regardless, if a book is over 1GB and 18 million of those are in just one library of one countries school)
In short 100TB in universe sounds very much like 100GB today. you can live with it, but once you really want to do stuff you take a few TB-disks. And enterprise solutions, if you handle a lot of data, can already go in the petabyte range.
Therefore 200TB for the most basic pods, upscaled to 1-4PB for the premium pods and then 1EB (exabyte) for the enterprise pods seems more logical.
also looks like her irl build might go the assassin route since she has already a good dagger and doesn't want to be seen or found. Assuming she can't figure out how magic works. Though her being an assassin with some diminished magical abilities would also seem fitting.
You have a point there, chapter slightly revised.
The book's file size is also changed to be about 10GB, it's about the size of School Days VN.
I can only imagine seeing her as she is right now lifting a couch with one hand after learning the warrior skills and her mom walks in on her with a shocked face
Maybe she could look into alchemy for strengthening potions and such. She's already used the elixir might as well look into other items useful to natives.
I do like the idea of her trying out the books in real life. The results should be fun to see!
if she buys the books they would be in the inventory right?
If she buys the book physically, then yes, but once materialized, the book is gone.
Thanks for the chap!!
I can see where THIS is Going . . .
She'll end up using Mana Cultivation Inside the game as a mage and Body cultivation OUTSIDE the game as a "Regular Person'. C-o-o-l