Then i dunno, the level doesnt affect for items special abilities.
I dont know if this is just TOO obvious, but do you follow these steps ?:
1.- click the bag
2.- click on the icon of the spell you wanna cast
3.- click on the objective (the aim for your spell, some spells have it (like magic missile) and others dont (like stone skin))
and stop saying youre a moron, man, everyone has been a newbie !!!
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"Let my spells do the dirty work" Ertai, High Sorceror of the Holy Flame