I always start thinking "what if there's a level 3 or 4 magic site there" when I search by moving around a typical mage with some paths at levels 2-3. Yes, I know they are rare, but I just can't live with uncertainty, so I prefer the searching spells.
Also it's less micromanagement.
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Great indebtedness does not make men grateful, but vengeful; and if a little charity is not forgotten, it turns into a gnawing worm.