Chapter 62 - 61: Three Essential Spells for Mage Wilderness Survival

Chapter 62: Chapter 61: Three Essential Spells for Mage Wilderness Survival

"Bremen hasn’t produced an Earth Vein in far too long. Because of that, everyone has let their guard down and developed a blind spot. They haven’t even considered this possibility..." Pierre sighed emotionally.

"An Earth Vein takes time to form, and the concentration of Magic Power along with the increase in Earth Vein Creatures are some of the very precursors to its creation.

"Of course, it might just be as most people currently think—that these anomalies are simply caused by High Tier Magic Plants attracting Earth Vein Creatures. Perhaps I’m just being overly sensitive and paranoid."

Pierre’s expression turned serious. "But at my age, I don’t dare take that gamble. Once the Earth Vein fully forms, it will be far too late to leave.

"Coupled with the unresolved mystery of the missing population in the city, no one knows when something terrible might happen to them.

"Living in constant fear day after day is no way to live."

After all, you couldn’t stay on high alert forever.

"So, after thinking it over again and again, I’ve decided to leave.

"You should think about it carefully too," Pierre advised tactfully after a moment’s hesitation.

Gaode’s mind raced, but he nodded in agreement. "I will."

"Let’s put that aside for now. Did you come to me for something today?" Pierre asked, waving a hand.

Gaode tightened his grip on the bundle strapped to his back and answered honestly, "I originally wanted to sell you another batch of Magic Potions, but seeing your current situation, I suppose it’s not a good time."

Obviously, Pierre was busy clearing out his inventory; there was no reason for him to buy more stock.

"Haha, you’ve only ever sold things to me. Why not take a look at the goods in my shop today?" Pierre laughed. "Everything in the store is basically being sold at cost or even at a loss right now. It’s quite a bargain."

Gaode swept his gaze over the merchandise and shook his head apologetically. "I don’t need anything at the moment."

Pierre thought for a second, then suddenly leaned closer to Gaode and asked in a hushed voice, "What about Magic Formulas?"

"Huh?!" Gaode was startled.

Pierre calmly sat back down in his chair behind the counter and spoke leisurely, "I wonder if you’ve ever heard of the ’Three Essential Magics for a Mage’s Wilderness Survival’?"

"Three Essential Magics for Wilderness Survival? What’s that?"

Clearly, Gaode had never heard of it. Lacking a systematic Mage education naturally meant his knowledge was limited.

"It refers to three Tricks: the Water Creation Skill, the North Pointing Skill, and Purifying Food."

The little old man revealed a nostalgic expression, reminiscing about his youth. "When I was still young and wandering the world, it took me a great deal of effort to gather these three Magics. As you know, the developed areas in the Bremen region are quite limited. Most of the territory consists of undeveloped Primordial Forests and wastelands.

"But whether it’s hunting Earth Vein Creatures or searching for precious Magic Plants, one must step foot into those Primordial Forests."

"You hunted Earth Vein Creatures when you were young?!" Gaode asked in surprise. He couldn’t imagine that the lazy old man in front of him had been so hot-blooded in his youth.

No wonder Pierre, seemingly just an ordinary grocery store owner, knew so much. It turned out he had quite the adventurous past.

"Of course. Unless they come from the Nobility, what ambitious Mage doesn’t have to risk their life to make money?" Pierre said matter-of-factly. "You should be well aware of how much money a Mage’s cultivation consumes.

"Only by hunting Earth Vein Creatures and harvesting Magic Plants can one possibly earn enough resources for cultivation. The money earned through ordinary methods isn’t nearly enough."

Gaode nodded in deep agreement.

Setting aside Mage Seda, who was basically a "boss," Gaode’s starting point was already better than most—he had started with a Medicinal Garden. Yet even with a stable asset like the Medicinal Garden, he was still only a First Class Apprentice. Despite this, he often found himself lamenting how hard it was to make ends meet when faced with the resources required for cultivation.

One could only imagine what a luxurious profession being a Mage truly was.

"Back then, to earn some money, I would often dive into the Primordial Forest for at least half a month at a time," Pierre continued. "Surviving in the Primordial Forest for that long would be absolutely impossible without the assistance of Magic."

As he spoke, Pierre glanced outside the shop several times. Only after confirming that no one was around did he open a drawer behind the counter.

Inside lay three small booklets. They were none other than three Magic Formulas.

Clearly, Pierre had been prepared and was waiting for Gaode to arrive.

"Take a look first. We can talk about the rest later."

Gaode hurriedly took the three Magic Formulas and scanned through them:

[Water Creation Skill] (Curse Magic, 0th Ring):

This Magic creates two gallons (can increase with the Mage’s Same Tier) of sanitary drinking water, just like clean rainwater.

You can conjure the water into an appropriately sized area capable of holding liquid, or over an area three times that size—the water may pour down like rain or fill multiple smaller containers.

If the water is not consumed, it will disappear after 1 day.

Note: Every gallon (approx. 4.8 liters) of water weighs about 8 pounds. One cubic foot can hold 8 gallons of water, weighing approximately 60 pounds.

[North Pointing Skill] (Prophet, 0th Ring):

When you cast this Magic, you will immediately know which direction is north from your current location.

This Magic only lets you know the location of north at the exact moment of casting. If you do not use landmarks to maintain your bearings, you may lose your sense of direction again.

[Purifying Food] (Transformation Series, 0th Ring):

This Magic can purify 1 cubic foot (can increase with the Mage’s Same Tier) of spoiled, rotten, diseased, poisonous, or otherwise contaminated food and water into an edible and drinkable state.

This Magic cannot prevent subsequent natural decay or spoilage.

Unholy water and food or drinks of a similar nature will lose their effects after being treated with Purifying Food, but this Magic is ineffective on any type of creature or Magic Potion.

...

Putting down the Magic Formulas, Gaode finally understood why these three Magics were called the "Three Essential Magics for a Mage’s Wilderness Survival."

Survival boiled down to four basic needs: food, water, shelter, and travel.

These three Magics perfectly addressed three of them: food, water, and travel.

The Water Creation Skill guaranteed drinking water, the North Pointing Skill ensured he wouldn’t get lost in the complex environment of the Primordial Forest, and Purifying Food secured his food supply to a certain extent.

"Actually, strictly speaking, the third of the essential Magics shouldn’t be Purifying Food, but rather the Grain Creation Skill.

"It’s just that the Grain Creation Skill is a Third-Ring Magic. The threshold is too high, so we can only use Purifying Food as a substitute," Pierre explained further.

"How much?" Gaode gripped the Magic Formulas in his hand tightly as he asked.

With three such practical Magics placed right in front of him, how could he not be tempted?

"Didn’t I tell you? Trading Magic Formulas privately is strictly prohibited by the authorities, and I don’t do illegal things."

Pierre’s response completely exceeded Gaode’s expectations.

In his mind, Pierre bringing this up meant he intended to peddle the Magic Formulas to him.

After all, the reason Pierre had initially refused to trade Magic Formulas with him privately was because his shop was located here. If he were reported for trading Magic Formulas, his shop would be sealed and confiscated. Compared to the potential profits, the risk was simply too great.

But now, the Pierre Grocery Store was preparing to close down and sell off its stock, so he shouldn’t have such reservations anymore.

Not to mention, he had already taken out the Magic Formulas. Clearly, he had been waiting for Gaode, so why wasn’t he selling them?

He couldn’t just be messing with him, could he?

Before Gaode could figure it out, Pierre let out a hearty laugh.

"Therefore, I’m giving these three Magic Formulas to you as a gift!"