【Cantrip Model: Thorn Pierce】
【Attribute: Wood】
【Base Power: 2 degrees】
【Casting Time: 3 seconds】
【Effect: Summons sharp thorns from the ground or vegetation to attack enemies within a designated area. The thorns persist for 30 seconds, during which they can be repeatedly activated to attack.】
As the information flooded in, a complex three-dimensional model was constructed in his consciousness.
It was an energy structure composed of countless fine lines, where every line and every node had a precise position and operation method.
Mental power needed to fully construct this model in the consciousness, which was then filled with mana and finally released.
Ethan closed his eyes, repeatedly simulating every detail of that model in his mind.
His hundred-fold learning speed allowed him to understand the construction logic of the model almost the instant he received the information.
"Not difficult."
He opened his eyes, set down the first crystal, and picked up the second.
【Cantrip Model: Plant Growth】
【Attribute: Wood】
【Base Power: No direct power】
【Casting Time: 5 seconds】
【Effect: Accelerates the growth rate of plants within a designated area and allows the caster to control their growth according to their intent. Duration depends on the plant species and scale.】
This cantrip had no direct lethality, but its utility was extremely high.
Combined with Thorn Pierce, it could force thorns to grow in places where there was no vegetation. It could also be used to create obstacles, trap enemies, or scout paths—its uses were endless.
Ethan imprinted the model into his consciousness and picked up the third crystal.
【Cantrip Model: Wood Shield】
【Attribute: Wood】
【Base Defense: 2 degrees】
【Casting Time: 2 seconds】
【Effect: Condenses Wood-element energy to form a shield capable of blocking physical and energy attacks. The shield's size and thickness are adjustable, with consumption increasing accordingly.】
Wood Shield was a pure defensive cantrip.
With a base defense of 2 degrees, it could withstand a direct hit from two basic Fireballs. With his 91% Wood Affinity, the actual defensive power would be around 3.8 degrees, and the mana cost would be halved.
"The trio is complete. And, hehe, they're practically free to cast."
About fifteen minutes later, the model construction was finished.
Ethan opened his eyes and raised his right hand.
Mental power flowed out from his palm, moving according to the model's trajectory.
Surrounding energy particles were drawn in, converging, compressing, and taking shape above his palm.
A wooden spike about the thickness of a thumb and half a foot long appeared out of thin air, hovering and slowly rotating above his palm.
The surface of the spike was dark brown with a faint green shimmer, and its tip was so sharp that a cold glint was visible.
Ethan gave a casual wave.
The spike shot out with a whistle, sinking into the opposite stone wall with a thud. It left behind a hole the width of a pinky finger, its edges as smooth as if it had been bored by a drill.
"The power is decent."
Ethan walked to the wall and touched the hole. When he poked his finger in, it went at least ten centimeters deep.
This was just a casual shot without much effort.
If he used his full strength, plus the 91% Wood Affinity bonus...
As expected, wizardry was much more satisfying than mindless physical combat.
A slight curve appeared at the corners of Ethan's mouth. He turned back to the center of the room and sat down cross-legged again.
The second crystal: Plant Growth.
The model for this cantrip was much more complex than Thorn Pierce, requiring a continuous and stable output of energy as well as precise control over the laws of plant growth.
It took Ethan nearly half an hour to fully master the model.
The third one: Wood Shield.
This one was relatively simple. As a pure defensive cantrip, its model structure was compact and its operational logic was clear. As long as the mental power output was stable, the shield could be maintained.
After constructing the model, Ethan gave it a try. A pale green light shield about a meter high and half a meter wide emerged on his left arm, its surface flowing with fine wood-like patterns.
He struck it with his right fist.
Bang!
The light shield didn't budge, but his fist stung slightly from the impact.
"Not bad."
Ethan dissipated the light shield and stood up to stretch his muscles.
He had learned all three cantrips, and it was much easier than he had anticipated.
With his massive learning speed multiplier and 91% Wood Affinity, these cantrips felt as if they were tailor-made for him.
Furthermore, because of the 50% cost reduction from his Archmage passive combined with the reduction from his affinity, the cost of releasing Wood-element cantrips was minuscule—almost negligible.
"Let's try Plant Growth."
Ethan walked out onto the second-floor balcony.
The leaves of that four-leaf clover were much more spread out than before, and silver patterns were faintly visible under the sunlight.
However, it was still just at the level of an ordinary plant, miles away from being supernatural.
Ethan crouched down and touched a leaf.
The Plant Affinity passive allowed him to sense the clover's condition.
Its root system was healthy, its leaves were plump, and it even seemed to be in a "good mood."
"Let's test the new cantrip."
He raised his right hand, and his mental power operated according to the Plant Growth model.
A pale green glow erupted from his palm, enveloping the entire four-leaf clover. Surrounding Wood-element energy particles were drawn in like invisible nutrients, surging frantically into the little plant that was barely ten centimeters tall.
Then,
The four-leaf clover began to grow at a rate visible to the naked eye. The stem thickened and grew taller, new leaves sprouted from the top, and the silver patterns grew brighter and brighter, almost overflowing from the leaves.
In just a few breaths, ten centimeters became over a meter.
The overall structure of the four-leaf clover had changed. The once fragile stem was now as thick as a pinky finger, its surface showing a woody texture. Each of the four leaves was as large as two palms, and the silver patterns on them intertwined into complex designs.
Even more absurdly, the information Ethan perceived had changed.
Before, this clover could only transmit vague status updates like "the soil is hard," "thirsty," or "not enough light." Now, those vague signals had turned into clear conscious ripples.
"It feels so good... more..."
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"It can talk?"
"Fine, let me see what your limit is."
Ethan continued to cast Plant Growth.
The pale green light poured from his palm, continuously flooding into the supernatural plant. The surrounding Wood-element energy particles were drawn in like an invisible tide, frantically saturating every leaf and every stem of the clover.
The clover's growth speed accelerated further.
The stem grew from the thickness of a thumb to that of a wrist, and the woody texture on its surface deepened, even starting to show cracks similar to tree bark. The four leaves, already the size of two palms, grew even larger. The silver patterns on the leaves intertwined into complex designs that vaguely resembled some kind of rune, yet were too blurry to identify.
Ethan could clearly sense the clover's state.
It was excited.
That pure, unadulterated joy was like a parched traveler finally finding water. His Plant Affinity passive allowed him to feel the cheering of every cell, the stretching of every fiber, and the pleasure of each growth spurt.
"It feels so good... more... more..."
That conscious ripple became clearer and clearer, evolving from its initial vague state into something resembling a baby's first words.
A smile played on Ethan's lips. "Quite greedy, aren't you? Then let's keep going."
Rate on N.U.
