31. Different Types of Sorcerers

"Can humans really acquire arcane magic so rapidly through such methods?" Sol asked, clearly astonished.

Aelian nodded. "Although the human race possesses no innate magic, they have a perfect affinity for the bloodlines of various supernatural beings and other external sources of mana. They can synthesize infinite possibilities. In my research, I refer to spellcasters who gain arcane power through ancestral bloodlines or special external opportunities as 'sorcerers.' The sorcerous power within them hungers to be released. For them, magic is not knowledge that must be understood, but an instinct—just like swimming for a fish or flying for a bird."

Young Gret, hearing a description that perfectly matched his own internal sensations, felt as though he had found a kindred spirit. He nodded vigorously, like a chick pecking at grain. "Yes, exactly! That is exactly how it feels, just as Your Majesty says!"

*Sorcerer?* Sol pondered this novel term. "What a remarkable power. Is the origin of a sorcerer solely the bloodline of supernatural ancestors and atavistic phenomena?"

Aelian shook his head. "No. According to my research, that is merely one possibility—though likely the most common. Being bathed in lightning at the heart of a storm, soaking in mana-rich springs, receiving the blessing of a High Fae, being eroded by shadow magic from the Plane of Shadow, or even catching a fleeting glimpse of the chaotic essence of the cosmos—these external supernatural elements also have the potential to create sorcerers. We can categorize and name them based on the source of their power."

Aelian gestured toward Gret. "For instance, this child's power stems from a dragon bloodline; we can call him a Draconic Sorcerer. Similarly, if the power derives from storm magic or ancestors from the Elemental Plane of Air, they might be called Storm Sorcerers. Those eroded by the Plane of Shadow or possessing shadow-creature ancestry are Shadow Sorcerers. Those who have touched wild magic due to special circumstances are Wild Sorcerers..."

Sol and the others listened with intense focus; some even took out notebooks to record the key points of Aelian’s lecture.

Though they had yet to encounter sorcerers of these various origins, Aelian’s confident and composed demeanor made it seem as if he had witnessed many such individuals himself.

Aelian smiled again. "From this day forward, new sorcerers will surely emerge across the lands of Eldoron—though, in all likelihood, they may not be as gifted as this child here today. We must grant these instinctual casters the same status as wizards of equal standing, allowing them to become one of us."

Indeed, it would be a terrible waste if the power of sorcerers could not be harnessed by the Empire. After witnessing Gret’s terrifying potential, Sol and the other mages naturally accepted this conclusion.

As he spoke, Aelian looked toward young Gret, who remained shyly in the corner. This twelve-year-old boy had awakened his power several years earlier than in the original timeline, and the level of mana he reached at the moment of awakening was even greater than before.

In the original history, Gret had only reached the peak of the sixth circle after his awakening. It was only as the leader of the civilian resistance, through his struggle against the battle-mages of the Floating City, that he gradually grew and strengthened to the seventh circle. In the end, during an imperial crackdown on the resistance, Gret ambushed General Sol of Eldoron, severely wounding him, and fought with a self-sacrificial intensity to carry the general away. However, exhausted and mortally wounded, Gret himself perished shortly thereafter under the siege of other arriving mages.

But the young Gret of today had reached the level of a seventh-circle sorcerer the moment he awakened.

*As I thought,* Aelian mused. *Allowing him to frequently encounter draconic vocabulary and magical knowledge, observing real mages casting spells up close, and interacting with magical constructs like skeletons and zombies has significantly awakened the memories of dragon magic within his bloodline, greatly enhancing the quality of his awakening.*

Seeing Aelian and the other mages discussing him, young Gret felt quite nervous. He took a deep breath, gathered his courage, and asked the question that had been troubling him: "If I may ask, masters, do I still need to continue my studies with Master Joseph?"

Hearing this, the mages could not help but chuckle. Should a powerful spellcaster capable of threatening General Sol continue his schooling under a minor mage like Joseph?

Gret’s face flushed scarlet at their laughter, and he quickly rephrased his question. "Uh, I meant... can a... a sorcerer still improve by continuing to study?"

The crowd was somewhat at a loss regarding this question, and they turned in unison toward Aelian.

"According to my theory, a sorcerer’s magic can also grow through constant tempering," Aelian replied. "Of course, simply following the textbook-style learning of ordinary wizards will not suffice. Tell me, Gret... how would you like to become my student?"

"I know how to train a sorcerer to better unearth their potential. Even for a sorcerer, you are undeniably gifted. One day, it is not impossible for you to surpass the red dragon ancestor who provided your bloodline."

Aelian spoke the truth. In the current era of Eldoron, he was the only one who knew how to train a sorcerer. In the original timeline, sorcerers were viewed as heretics for thousands of years, despised by mage-led magical regimes, and even faced the threat of the stake. It was not until the distant future, when sorcerers gradually gained recognition from various nations, that someone finally summarized the experience of how they unearthed their potential and trained their magic.

To become the student of the High Mage of Eldoron, the Arcane Emperor? To be the disciple of the most noble mage in the entire Empire!

Young Gret felt as though he were dreaming. His heart pounded with excitement; he could hardly believe his ears, and tears threatened to spill from his eyes. He recalled that day half a year ago—when the Emperor of the Empire, draped in black velvet robes, walked into his village, patiently asked about their situation, told him that "the dark history of mage nobles slaughtering surface civilians shall end today," and promised him that "in the future, those cruel orcs will never dare to violate human lands again."

Now, this Emperor of Eldoron had fulfilled his promises and had invited him to walk by his side.

"Honorable High Mage of Eldoron, Arcane Emperor, Pale Lord of Necromancy, King of all Mages in the City in the Sky, the only Emperor of humanity, the great Majesty Aelian..."

Young Gret mimicked the titles the mages used for this King of Humanity. He bowed, knelt on one knee, and replied with a trembling voice: "It is my greatest honor to become your student."