The Last Magus
D.B. King
A Progression Fantasy Saga. Alec began his 18th birthday with the temple monks. He discovers his magic is entirely natural — he can absorb the elements from objects and manipulate them at will. Under Archmage Diamondspear's tutelage, through the Royal Academy's entrance exams, Combat Magic and Familiars classes, and private lethal training with Instructor Brutus, Alec's abilities manifest and grow when in dire circumstances. From the forest outside the Academy to the Haunted Isle and a final battle against Chaos, this coming-of-age saga features incremental magic and skill progression in a heavy magic world.
Progression: Explicit incremental magic and skill progression (Goodreads series subtitle 'A Progression Fantasy Saga'). Alec Diamondspear possesses unique 'natural magic' — absorbing elements from objects and manipulating them without grimoires/incantations. Progression is structured as dire-circumstance triggered growth ('abilities manifest and grow when he is in dire circumstances'), formal training tiers (Archmage Diamondspear tutelage -> Royal Academy entrance examination -> Combat Magic / Familiars & Their Care -> private lethal tuition with Instructor Brutus), and elemental mastery (Greater Elements). Goodreads descriptions repeatedly tag 'incremental magic and skill progression' and publishers describe it as cultivation-like academy advancement toward Ultimate Magic vs Chaos.
Goodreads
