Claude actually felt that Maria's seven basic spells were rather practical.
Luminous Pearl could be used as the main source of light. Its brightness wasn't much inferior to the energy-saving lamps of his previous world. Even though it only lasted for half an hour, it could be used to light up the place with another Luminous Pearl before it dissipated.
More importantly, he didn't have to spend money on oil or electricity to use the Luminous Pearl. The mana consumed would be replenished after a short nap.
There was no need for him to learn the Detect Spell. This was the simplified version of the Detect Eye. He could practice the effects of the Detect Spell based on what Maria had said. He should be able to discover more effects and uses than the Detect Spell.
When Maria cast the spell just now, he had already used the Appraisal Eyes to take a look. Sure enough, there was a mana imprint in the air.
Maria didn't think that the air barrier was useful, but she didn't use the spell in the right place.
Just as she said, only during a fire could people survive for five more minutes, but what she didn't understand was how important these five minutes were to the survival of the survivors.
There were also some places, such as underground caverns filled with poisonous gas, where one could use the air barrier to come and go as they pleased.
Landes had recorded the rune formation for the frost spell in his diary. However, it was a level-one spell and could only be learned and inscribed after becoming a second-ring rune magus.
Landes wrote in his diary that the Freeze spell was mainly used in alchemy experiments to deal with test subjects, such as maintaining the freshness of corpses and other effects. He neglected to mention that the Freeze spell could be used in real life.
Even though Maria's frost spell could only be used to make ice cubes for cold drinks, it was a level-zero spell. A first-ring rune magus like Claude could learn it. Not to mention, the spell was very discreet and didn't attract as much attention as the frost spell.
He believed that it was a mistake for the kingdom's special department to think that the spell was harmless. An experienced assassin could use water to form an icicle or something as a murder weapon without anyone noticing how it was brought into the crime scene. He recalled a detective novel he read in his past life where the killer kept the icicles in a thermos flask.
This magic world was even better. Murder weapons could be made on the spot …
There was no need to say more about Underwater Breathing. This was a very useful spell. Although it only lasted for ten minutes, a lot of things could be done underwater.
The principle behind the Water Condensation Spell was actually very simple. It was to condense water molecules in the air into water droplets.
As for the fact that there was only one cup of water, it was easy to understand. If there were no water molecules within the range of the spell, there would be no water droplets.
The Ignition Skill was also very practical. After learning it, there was no need to carry any ignition tools around.
After giving it some serious thought, he realized that he really wanted to learn all of Maria's seven spells, apart from Detect.
Even if he didn't use it, it was still good to keep it as a collection.
Even though Maria said that the harmless spells were sold in the spell shop in the royal capital, he wasn't a registered magus and didn't have the right to purchase them. Ten crowns per spell was too expensive for him to afford.
The only way for him to learn those seven spells was through Maria's.
Perhaps he could use his five basic rune alchemy spells to exchange with her. After all, his five basic spells were all forbidden spells, and Maria might have some misgivings about it.
If he really couldn't do it, he could use the 30 shaliuns he was saving to trade for the seven spells. To him, spells were far more important than gold coins.
"Madam, may I learn these spells that you know from you?
Of course, I can give you my five spells in exchange, "Claude said sincerely.
"What are you going to learn? You want to learn these useless spells?
You even want to trade your spells for them? "
Maria was stunned for a moment before she started laughing so hard that she couldn't stop herself.
Claude felt a little embarrassed. "Madam, even if you don't agree, you can't laugh at me like that, alright?"
Maria laughed so hard that she couldn't catch her breath. When she finally stopped, Claude's face was filled with black lines.
"I … I'm not laughing at you … Hahaha …" Maria covered her mouth. "I finally believe that you're a rookie magus. You really don't know anything about magic."
"Claude, to be honest, I really want to learn the five alchemy spells you know.
But the problem is that I can't afford them, nor can I pay the price for them, "Maria said seriously.
"Wait, what do you mean?
You can't pay the price?
You can trade your spells with me … "Claude was confused. How was it possible for someone who could buy a crocodile specimen for 45 crowns to not be able to afford five spells?
"Claude, you don't understand the value of the five alchemy spells you know," Maria said sternly.
Maria said sternly, "My useless spells are priced at ten crowns per spell in the shops.
Even though those five spells of yours are forbidden by the kingdom, they're priceless in the underground magic market. No matter how much money you have, you won't be able to buy them.
For example, Magus' Hand alone can be sold for at least 200 crowns in the underground market. As for the other four spells, apart from Appraisal Eye, Fine Control, Decomposition, and Fusion, they can be sold for 150 crowns.
So, no matter how rich I am, I won't be able to afford those five spells of yours. "
No way, my five basic spells can actually be sold for so much money?
Claude was stunned. It took him a while to snap out of it. "Then, Madam, can I trade my seven spells with yours?"
Maria shook her head. "Claude, I can't take advantage of you. In fact, all my useless spells combined can't even be exchanged for a single spell of yours."
"I insist, Madam, you can choose any of the spells I know and trade them with yours.
Consider it my thanks for your teachings. Without you, I wouldn't have learned all this magic knowledge. I'm also grateful that you didn't lie to me. "
Maria stared into Claude's eyes and saw nothing but sincerity in them.
Smiling, she nodded. "Alright, I'll choose Appraisal Eye. Magus' Hand, Fine Control, Decomposition, and Fusion are all used together. I can't just choose one.
Appraisal Eye is an upgraded version of Appraisal. Perhaps I can engrave it onto Appraisal Eye. That way, my Appraisal Eye can be upgraded to Appraisal Eye. "
Exchanging spells was actually very simple. One only needed to draw the magic array structure of the spell on a piece of white paper, and then use mana to engrave the magic array in the air. Then, one would know if there was an effect after inputting mana.
Even though it wasted a lot of mana, it was a good way to test the authenticity of a spell.
Maria had drawn a total of eight spell formations. The extra spell was called Breeze Summon, which was to summon a gust of breeze to surround her and bring her a cool breeze.
However, the duration of this spell was also very short, only ten minutes.
"I'll take it as you giving me a 20% discount," she said as she handed eight pieces of paper to Claude.
After that, he picked up the piece of paper that Claude had drawn to examine the spell's runic formation.
"Madam, I'd like to ask you something. What's the underground magic market you mentioned?"
Maria replied without raising her head, "It's similar to those black markets and auctions.
The only difference is that those black markets sell smuggled goods, while the underground magic market sells spells and magic materials. Both the buyers and sellers are magi. Most of them are unaffiliated magi like you.
Some say that the organizers behind the underground magic markets are magi from Higros. They want to obtain the magic materials and resources they need from Freia through the underground trade.
That's why the underground magic market is a thorn in the side of the special departments of the continent. Any place suspected of being an underground magic market will often be raided.
You won't be able to find it without someone you know to introduce you to it. "
"Then what do they use to trade? Kingdom-issued coins or magic materials?" Claude asked.
"Both. However, they use a special type of coin to measure the value of the goods."
Maria took out a gold coin and placed it on the table. "This is the Shaliun Gold Coin. It's also known as the Magic Gold Coin. Every gold coin is made by a magician using magic in an alchemy rune. That's why they're imprinted with magic and aren't afraid of wear and tear. No matter how much time has passed, they'll still look brand new.
If you look at them with Appraisal Eye, you'll see a faint golden glow on them. That's something other coins can't compare to.
Usually, one shaliun in the underground magic market can be exchanged for around 20 crowns issued by the kingdom.
If you take it to the banks, they'll only give you the legal rate of two crowns. "
I have 30 shaliun coins!
If he could get into the underground magic market, he'd be able to get 600 crowns. That was a huge sum of 3,000 thales.
Perhaps it wouldn't be a dream for Claude to gather all the magic materials needed for an alchemical formation, provided he could get into the underground magic market.
"Madam, can you introduce me to the underground magic market?" Claude asked meekly.
"What? You want to auction off your spells?" Maria looked at him with a smile that didn't seem like a smile.
"Ugh … No, I just want to see it for myself," Claude hurriedly denied.
"Sigh … Claude, let me give you a piece of advice. Don't auction off your spells. You won't be able to guarantee your safety if you do.
Everyone who covets your spells will try their best to find out where you are. The kingdom's special department will also get wind of it and list you as a wanted criminal.
No matter how hard you try to hide, there's a chance you'll be discovered. When that happens, you won't be able to live a peaceful life anymore. "
"Madam, thank you for your concern.
"In fact, I just want to take a look and see if there are any suitable spells. You know that I only have five spells, so I want to see if I can find two Battle Spells that will give me some power to protect myself …"
Maria pondered for a moment and shook her head. "It'll be difficult. There aren't many battle spells in the underground magic market.
Even if there are, you won't be able to afford them unless you use your own spells to exchange for them.
But if you do that, you'll still expose yourself to those with ulterior motives.
It's not worth it for you.
Also, the underground magic market I know of is in the royal capital. There aren't any here.
If you have the chance to go to the royal capital, I can bring you there to take a look. But the chances of finding a suitable spell for you are slim. "
"Madam, can I ask you to help me find at least two spells that you think are suitable for me when you return to the royal capital?
I can use my four alchemical spells to exchange for them, or I can give them to you for now. Compared to others, I feel more at ease trusting you, "Claude said after some thought.