My Magic Has No Upper Limit

The essence of a Trigger Skill is to turn a magic spell into a standby state, ready to be activated at any moment.

To achieve this, a Mage must first outline the Spell Structure and suspend it in their shallow consciousness.

For example, a Defensive Magic spell.

Of course, this is only the first step.

Next, the Mage needs to emanate their Magic Power, condensing it around them to form a small Domain that can sense the surrounding environment.

This Domain acts as the trigger mechanism for the magic.

If an enemy attacks, their strike will touch the Domain before it can hit the Mage’s body. Even if the Mage doesn’t notice the attack, this contact will activate the pre-outlined Defensive Magic spell.

That’s the basic principle of a Trigger Skill."

Reading up to this point, Zelir closed the book.

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting to the ceiling as his hair fell across his forehead.

Zelir closed his eyes and reviewed the knowledge he had just learned.

’Trigger Skills really aren’t simple...’

Although the book made it sound easy, there were still considerable difficulties in actual practice.

First, one must have complete mastery of the magic spell being set to auto-trigger.

Based on Zelir’s current Attributes, the most he could do was set Fog Flowing Gauze as the auto-triggered spell.

As for the more advanced Blazing Flame Shield and Ring of Resistance, Zelir was not yet proficient enough in casting them to set them to an auto-trigger state.

Then there was the configuration of the Domain.

This part was closely related to the Intelligence Attribute—in other words, one’s Magic Manipulation Level.

The Domain’s sensitivity could neither be too high nor too low.

If it was too low, it would be like a sluggish alarm, causing some attacks to fail to activate the magic at all.

If it was too high, even normal physical contact could automatically activate the magic.

For example, if you set Blazing Flame Shield as the Trigger Skill and the Domain’s sensitivity was too high...

...then it’s possible that someone shaking your hand in the future could trigger Blazing Flame Shield’s automatic counterattack, burning them to a crisp.

In short, this was another Casting Technique that required diligent practice.

For the past few days, Zelir had been holed up in the library, researching the mechanics of Trigger Skills.

From starting with the basics to trying it out himself, he had made a little progress.

However, he still hadn’t managed to fully master it. The main problem was still the Domain.

Never mind the Domain’s sensitivity—Zelir couldn’t even maintain a stable Domain right now.

His Magic Manipulation Level was simply insufficient.

In other words...

...he needed to add more points to Intelligence.

"Working hard, Zelir."

A pleasant voice sounded from above. "I heard from the librarian that you’ve been in the library every day for the past few days."

Zelir opened his eyes, breaking from his meditation, and saw Bev’s upside-down face.

He sat up straight again before slumping onto the table with a soft sigh.

"It’s not like I have anything better to do than read."

"How could that be? Aren’t you taking quests from the Adventurer’s Association? I heard you’re already a Silver Level Adventurer."

"I would if there were any quests to take."

"Demons aren’t like chives; you can’t just cut one crop and have another grow right back. When their numbers are down, there are naturally fewer quests,"

Zelir said, a hint of helplessness in his voice.

"Besides, it’s almost winter. What Demon in its right mind would be running around in this cold? They’ve all gone into hiding."

During his free time these past few days, Zelir had frequented the Adventurer’s Association, but he hadn’t found any good quests.

He even tried to cozy up to Eira, but she just shrugged and said there really were no commissions. If he wasn’t picky, he could always do the Low Level quests.

That’s why Zelir had been spending all his time in the library.

Nothing to be done about it; the general situation was just bad.

’I really miss the days of Guild hunts, picking Demons off the Demon Race Tree and killing our way through the list.’

"You never know. Aren’t Demons a bit abnormal in the head? Maybe some of them enjoy wandering around in the winter."

Bev straightened her skirt and sat down next to Zelir.

Zelir’s gaze drifted over to her and, involuntarily, lingered.

’Hmm...’

Today, Bev was wearing the same Light Purple Magic Robe she had on when Zelir first met her.

Before meeting Barrett, whenever Zelir saw a Magic Robe, he would just sigh internally about how amazing, expensive, and desirable it was.

But after being influenced by Barrett, Zelir’s gaze now held a professionally critical edge.

’This fabric... a soft luster... it must be woven from some kind of Magic Silk. The cut is exquisite, too.’

"What are you looking at?"

Bev noticed Zelir staring at her, so she blinked and asked.

"Nothing, just your Magic Robe," Zelir answered.

"Oh... This was a birthday present from my father."

Bev lifted the silky skirt and gave a little half-twirl.

"It feels quite nice to wear. The inscribed circuits help me better understand Spell Structures. It’s very suitable for a research-type Mage."

"Is it custom-made?" Zelir asked subconsciously.

"No, it was bought off-the-rack. I’m just a Magic Apprentice; I don’t need a specially tailored Magic Robe yet."

Bev wrinkled her nose. "Besides, I hear custom-made Magic Robes are very expensive."

At least, she couldn’t afford one with her monthly allowance. If she wanted to buy one, she would have to ask her father.

"That’s true..." Zelir nodded in deep agreement.

Over three hundred Gold Coins wasn’t a sum that even a rich young lady like Bev could just throw around.

’I’m still paying off a one-year loan for my own Magic Robe.’

"What book are you reading?" Bev asked, leaning in curiously.

"It’s about Trigger Skills... What about you? Still researching how to create magic?"

"Yeah. Mage Haddley has given me a lot of work recently."

Bev suddenly remembered something. "But she did specifically mention you."

"Mage Haddley mentioned me?" Zelir was a little surprised.

He still remembered the name. It was the Mage who had previously assigned Bev the task of creating Fireworks Magic.

’But I’ve never even met Mage Haddley.’

"I told her about how we experimented with the Fireworks Magic together. Mage Haddley is very interested in your ability to quickly memorize Spell Structures."

Bev recalled, "She also said that she might come looking for your help someday."

"In that case, I just hope she pays well," Zelir muttered, pursing his lips.

"She won’t treat you poorly," Bev said with a smile.

...

After spending the afternoon researching Trigger Skills in the library, Zelir returned to the Night Flower Inn.

A full beef feast was laid out on the dining table.

It included beef soup, beef pies, and the classic red wine sauce preparation.

Of course, it was all made from Minotaur Leg Meat.

Zelir downed a mouthful of the steaming hot soup. As it went down, a warm feeling immediately spread through his limbs, dispelling the late autumn chill.

’So delicious... The next time there’s a Minotaur extermination commission, I’m taking it.’

’I’ll try my luck at the Adventurer’s Guild again tomorrow.’

Just then, the main door of the Night Flower Inn was suddenly pushed open.

Someone in the hall cast a casual glance over, only to realize the newcomer was far from an ordinary customer.

Judging by her attire, the newcomer was a young lady from the Nobility, and a Mage at that.

The once-noisy room fell silent.

Zelir looked over as well and was surprised to see it was Bev.

He was a little surprised. ’Why is Bev here...?’

Bev quickly noticed Zelir as well and walked straight over to him.

"Bev, what are you doing here?"

Zelir stood up and pulled out a chair for her.

"Zelir, my family has a commission. Are you willing to take it?"

Bev asked as soon as she sat down, looking Zelir in the eye.

"There was an incident at the mine this morning. A Demon appeared in a newly excavated tunnel."

"What kind of Demon?" Hearing this, Zelir was immediately interested.

"A Challenge-rated Thousand-Teeth Rock Worm," Bev said gravely.