Targeted Magic training (along with Debilitation) trains like a weapon, so the creature you are fighting has to be in the correct skill range for you. If your Appraisal skill is ~100 ranks then you can use APPRAISE <creature> CAREFUL to see how well it will teach you various skills. E.g.:

<<If you targeted and cast a spell at the enemy, you are certain that it would train acceptably.

As for the actual cast, first make sure you are using TARGET to fully aim the spell. I.e. TARGET <spell> <mana> and wait until you get the message about being "fully targeted" before using CAST. Second, it doesn't matter a whole lot how much mana you put into it, although more mana does equate to more damage which will help slightly with experience. It's more effective, however, to use as much mana as is easily sustainable rather than pumping as much mana as you can put into it. Running out of mana does more to hurt your experience earned than losing a few bits of experience per cast ever would.

Hope that helps!

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>You need to move up.

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