Well darn. Not bad. Might need to sink another design to make it ALL-POWERFUL, but that can wait until we explore the possibilities.
Hold on, lemme find the original proposal I had. I like my proposal, NUKE, more than yours (I'M BIASED! I admit it proudly
).
Alrighty: Here's the list of revision ideas I had:
Academy of MagicUsing our Detect Thoughts spells, worthy apprentices' thoughts are scanned. If they are found pure of heart and iron in resolve, they may then be granted early knowledge of how to use a new spell: Knowledge. This simple spell allows the user to touch the mind of a willing mage, who can impart knowledge through the mental link. The apprentice can learn only what the master chooses to share, it only needs to work over a distance of a few feet, and the spell cannot be sustained by an apprentice alone---the mage with which they are mentally conversing must help sustain the link, as it relies on the willingness of the subject. This greatly simplifies the spell, allowing even the newest apprentice to cast it, if only under the strict guidance of a master. Then they will use that spell to learn from the likes of al-Mutriqa and our Researcher Priests. This will greatly increase the speed of apprentice training, meaning that more combat-ready apprentices can be deployed to the front, and more mages will join our ranks every year. Apprentices who are not worthy, or whose thoughts contain hints of treason, revolt, or a lack of skill, will be put through a harder but more mundane training course. They will be indoctrinated properly, and brought to the level of skill necessary to fight.
But if we think that we first need to work out some ways of directing our lightning spells:
Pie Eye In the SkyLets the user take a vantage point as if they were floating above the world, using our Divination magic to collect information about the present world. A mage using this spell is capable of communicating with others, or utilizing the Hammer and Spear of Allah. This spell requires some concentration, but not enough to interfere with instantaneous spells or actions, like talking or casting the Spear.
Alternatively:
Mind TrailUsing this new version of Detect Thoughts, two or more experienced mages can link minds, using relatively long-distance communication so that a carpet rider or mage onboard an Alsamma Safina can directly show others what he can see, thus allowing them to call down precise blasts of lightning from far outside the enemy artillery's ranges. The spell does not interfere with concentration too much, which means that the mages participating can utilize the Hammer and Spear of Allah or flying the carpet.