Learning spells

Restriction by school

A wizard can learn (and cast at all) spells only in a school they know. They can know (or cast) spells up to the level equal to their level of knowledge in the school. They cannot use spells outside their school at all.

General Magic

Spells of General Magic don't have this restriction, but their selection is smaller and they lack some bonuses for the school, having only those for magic as a skill.

Study

Learning spells is strenuous and hard work. First you need a book or an instructor (someone who has a good command of the spell).

Getting hold of a spellbook tends to be difficult (they aren't sold at the market and there are no public libraries); another wizard may want a considerable sum or a favor in return. Moreover, everyone keeps more powerful spells secret and is reluctant to share them with others.

In general it is hard to get any 3rd level spell. Getting a scroll or a spell of the 4th level is very rare.

Learning a spell takes 1 week. For each feat above the spell's level the time is one step faster, and vice versa.