Chapter 349

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Chapter 349: The Magic Most in Need of Countering

Compared to new spells, Jesse is actually more concerned about a lingering issue, which is Mage Armor.

"Is there any way to weaken the magical aura of Mage Armor, Master Malin?"

Malin glanced at the books on the shelf behind him and said, "If you find it acceptable, there is a different version of Mage Armor… It weakens the resistance to lightning and fire element damage that Mage Armor provides, while strengthening resistance to shadow and chaos magic. Most importantly, this modified Mage Armor becomes very difficult to see after casting, as you said, no more visible shimmer."

"So, this may be more suitable for a traveling mage like you, rather than those supporting soldiers on the battlefield."

Jesse nodded and asked, "Is this difficult to learn?"

"Since this modification is based on Mage Armor, it shouldn’t be too difficult for you to learn, Mr. Seso." Malin took a gray book from the shelf, titled "Gondra Tiniboras and the Battle Against Darkness".

"Tiniboras’s Evil Ward – which is a modified version of Mage Armor, doesn’t completely lose resistance to fire and natural elements, but rather weakens them appropriately to enhance resistance to Black Magic. The visual weakening is actually a side effect, but the difference is quite clear." Malin placed the book in front of Jesse and said, "Don’t write on it. Remember to return it to me after reading, Mr. Seso. And… remember to use the Mage Armor passed down from the elves to protect yourself when facing a Fire Mage or a powerful Gnoll elemental mage!"

"Understood, Master." Jesse took the book and said, "As for new spells… I want to learn Counterspell!"

"How far have you progressed with your Counterspell lessons?" Malin asked.

"I think… I’m in the second volume…" Jesse scratched his head. "Well, I seem to have missed a week of lessons in the middle, teacher. I feel like I’ve just scratched the surface of counterspells."

Malin sighed and said, "It does seem unusual for an apprentice mage not to know counterspells. But the good thing is, you have rich combat experience, Mr. Seso. Hopefully, you can become more proficient than those apprentices, or even apprentice mages, by combining combat practice."

"Mr. Seso, come with me."

With that, Malin stood up and walked out of the study. Jesse followed him to the adjacent apothecary, where Malin opened a locked door to reveal a small garden within the building.

Jesse had never been to this place before. He had always thought that the closed door led to some kind of warehouse.

Malin walked to the middle and said, "If you have studied the first volume, you should know that casting a Counterspell while the opponent is chanting a spell is most effective. It can disrupt the connection between the opponent and the summoned magic. If cast when the opponent is in a normal state, it may cause some trouble, but they can recover quickly."

"I will teach you a simple Counterspell. Remember this incantation – ‘Modestaweening!’"

Hearing this incantation, Jesse felt that the sound was different from the Counterspell used by Naga before. Perhaps it was not a Counterspell at all, but some kind of silent ability of Naga.

There are various ways to interrupt magic, even within the Arcane field.

"Modestaweening," Jesse nodded and asked, "What about the casting gesture?"

"Let me demonstrate once." Malin raised his right hand and said, "Feel the magical fluctuations caused by the opponent casting a spell, capture the resonance between the opponent and the Ley Line, use the spell to cut off their connection to Arcane energy… This is a highly invasive and mentally taxing magic that requires intense concentration. If you miss the timing, cast too slowly, and the opponent senses it and stops, you will quickly fall into a passive state, Mr. Seso."

After speaking, the old mage chanted a spell and pointed his finger towards Jesse. Jesse clearly felt the magical energy around him tighten, causing his mind to feel bound and the sounds around him to become muffled due to the magical shock.

However, this heavy feeling quickly disappeared, and Jesse soon returned to normal.

"How do you feel?"

When Malin asked this question, Jesse felt like the voice was coming from underwater, he shook his head and said, "I’m okay."

"Excellent," the old mage said. "Now it’s your turn to try, Mr. Seso. I will cast a spell and you try to disrupt it."

Jesse nodded, and the old mage’s lips immediately started moving, his hands gathering a blurry Arcane energy.

Malin’s spell was so obvious that Jesse could feel the power fluctuation, even making the grass next to his feet tremble from the power he was gathering.

He detected the arcane energy gathering around the old mage, pointed towards the spot where he was gathering his power, and recited an incantation he had just learned.

When his magical focus point touched the power gathered by Malin, it felt like hitting a solid stone wall, was it easily resisted?

Just as Jesse was about to counter again, Malin suddenly reached out with both hands…

Jesse then felt a strange, indescribable sensation, as if the world had suddenly grown larger, but not quite, or maybe taller!

For no reason, he suddenly lost his balance, couldn’t stay standing, and fell to the ground. When he tried to get up, his limbs seemed uncoordinated.

Wait, he… No, this isn’t about coordination, it’s like his hands and feet have disappeared, losing their usual feeling.

Jesse tried to stand up, but his back legs instinctively kicked and he ended up tilted on the ground. He attempted to push himself up with his hands, only to see two fluffy white hooves in front of his eyes!

What in the world?! Polymorph?! Have I turned into a sheep?

He tried to shout, but all that came out was a bleat!

"Polymorph is a magic that should be countered, Mr. Seso," Malin said as he crouched down, grabbing Jesse’s hind legs as he tried to escape. "If you fail to stop your opponent from casting the spell, you will immediately find yourself in this passive state."

With that, he harshly patted Jesse’s back, and his vision was immediately consumed by Arcane mist.

After a moment of chaos, Jesse felt like he had been kicked out of a narrow box and found himself sprawled on the ground.

After a while, Jesse still couldn’t shake off that sheepish way of walking. He stared at his legs, slowly got up, and steadied himself before standing firm.

The old mage sighed and said, "Let’s call it a day, Mr. Seso. Although I have enough energy, perhaps lack of exercise is catching up with my stamina now. Your attempts earlier were close, but they need more practice."

"Also, read more books to catch up on the missed lessons."

Jesse stood to the side, moving his mouth silently, finally feeling his tongue loosen, and promptly said, "Got it… Master…"

By attempting to use counter magic, he deeply felt the gap between himself and the Wizard’s Sanctum archmage before him. If it wasn’t Malin, Jesse would definitely try to use Fear to interrupt the opponent’s spellcasting.

Not sure if Shadow Magic has a similar counter ability, as Fear is not a power to forcibly interrupt magic. Even a crazed Gnoll can resist it, not to mention those undead spellcasters who do not understand fear at all.

By the way, didn’t Teron Gorefiend use something similar to Shadow Fury while in Dalaran, a magic causing mass confusion in the game, disrupting Vereesa’s attacking rhythm?

Maybe he should start from this direction, after all, Arcane magic for him is still… difficult.

I wonder if under the enhancement of the Azuresong Mageblade, he can counter the teacher’s Polymorph?

But since he is wielding the Azuresong Mageblade, Shadow Fury or other shadow magic interruption spells should be more powerful, right…?