Does "detect life" level up based on number of lives detected?
Solution 1:
According to UESP, the more life sources you detect, the more experience you gain. No word on if hostile units provide more experience compared to friendly units.
As for the expense of the spell:
- Have you gotten the relevant cost-reduction perk in Alteration?
- Head gear, armor, necklaces, and rings can be made or found with Alteration cost-reducing effects.
- You can also find gear that increases Magicka regen or max Magicka.
- The Restoration perk tree provides a +25/50% Magicka regeneration perk.