Chapter 91

Paper-thin biological tissue contained in a test tube.

As I <Browse> the past records connected to this object, I was able to organize the information I’d gathered so far. What exactly had happened in this world? Why had it ended up in this state? What exactly is magic?

To cut to the conclusion, the myths I heard as a child were true. The world came to this state because of a war between gods and demons. More precisely, a fight broke out between the ‘upper layer’ gods and the ‘lower layer’ gods, and humans seem to have called the lower layer gods ‘demons.’ I still don’t know the criteria that distinguished upper from lower. But what I learned this time was… how they waged their war.

In short, gods were immortal beings who took magical power as their flesh.

To win the war, they researched weapons that could break each other’s immortality.

The simplest and most reliable method was to directly wield each other’s bodies—magical power—to shatter the weaker side. In my terms, this would be the Ki-blood magic approach. But most gods, who had lived safely with guaranteed immortality, didn’t prefer such dangerous methods.

The gods wanted to keep their own bodies safe while manipulating the principles of the world to destroy each other. Thus, throughout the war, principles and phenomena capable of killing gods were continuously added to the Akashic Record.

This was also an efficient method. Adding new records to the Akashic Record was difficult, but once something was added, it could be easily recalled afterward. For instance, creating <God-Slaying Lightning> was so difficult that even gods repeatedly failed, but once recorded, <God-Slaying Lightning> could be easily triggered anywhere, anytime with simple commands and authentication. That’s how Circle magic and Gifts work. When specific mana patterns are woven, the results corresponding to those commands and qualifications are output. Though significantly less powerful than directly using magical power, it consumed much less energy and, above all, wasn’t dangerous.

Therefore, the gods’ war became a war of records.

Almost daily, they wrote, overwrote, deleted, and rewrote records capable of killing each other.

“…And so, while the principles of the world changed incessantly, the world ended up shattered like this. Perhaps… even the great cataclysm Pan-Dalus mentioned…”

Every night, when I looked up at the sky, I could see it.

A shattered world. Nearby stars where you could clearly count the seas, mountain ranges, and even city walls. And distant, faint stars like dots. Such clear evidence that this world had been destroyed… that it was still being destroyed at this very moment. A landscape so beautiful it was all the more sorrowful.

Those bastard mongrel idiot gods left us this landscape and then all died.

If they were going to die, they should have fixed everything first before dying.

“Sigh…”

Anyway,

This relic site was also one of the research facilities and schools where gods developed weapons.

And the method they attempted to record “lightning that could kill gods” was to create a life form resembling a god and then burn it to death with the lightning they created.

According to what I heard from the magical powers,

‘What is recorded happens.’

‘But what happens is also recorded.’

They followed this principle… though I still don’t fully understand it. Anyway, following this principle, the gods here first needed to create a beast moved by magical power that resembled a god, and what was in this test tube was one of their research achievements.

“This is actually something really good.”

I waved the test tube in front of everyone.

“It’s a very special tissue that easily fuses with both life forms’ cells and magical power. If you implant this in your body, you can control the movement of magical power in that area in a specific way. If I were to name it, I’d call it a ‘magical joint.'”

What they needed for research was a life form resembling a god. That is, a life form that takes magical power as its flesh.

But since it was impossible to create a life completely detached from matter, they compromised. A life form based on matter with some biological tissue, while simultaneously able to move magical power as if it were its own body. This ‘magical joint’ was a treasure that emerged from such attempts.

“That’s impossible…”

Lytol muttered with wide eyes. He was the first to grasp the significance of the ‘magical joint.’

“If that’s true, then the boundary between Mana Users and mages would disappear…”

Lytol couldn’t even finish his sentence.

The difference between mages and Mana Users lies in whether they can move magical power or not. But what if a Mana User implants a ‘magical joint’ and moves magical power? The difference from mages becomes blurred.

Of course, this was theoretical.

Based on the results of running [Simulation] for about 25 days with my current capacity, I couldn’t see Mana Users surpassing mages. Of course, with more time, things could change.

“The effect won’t be so dramatic right away. The amount that can be fused without side effects is limited, and precise control of magical power is still difficult. But since it allows moving magical power through concentration and practice alone… in the long term, Mana Users could potentially face lower-level mages. And mages might be able to use higher-level spells beyond their current level.”

Still, a treasure is a treasure.

For ordinary people, moving magical power is nearly impossible, like an Earth human lifting a ball with telekinesis. People not born with the talent simply cannot do it. But the way a ‘magical joint’ moves magical power is similar to scooping beans with a 1m long teaspoon. Difficult, but with practice, anyone could move magical power.

For Ki-blood mages who directly use magical power, this is truly a treasure among treasures.

That’s why I couldn’t hide my grin.

“But how do you know all that? It’s something we’ve never seen before…”

Just then, Yuria raised her hand and asked. Like the top student she once was at Sena School Nomad, she asked a question that perfectly captured the flow of the discussion.

Thanks to her, I could smoothly transition back to explaining the Akashic Record.

“Because everything in the world is made of records. And… past records don’t disappear. They remain somewhere.”

That’s what Einstein from Earth said. That past, present, and future exist simultaneously. Time isn’t created moment by moment, but rather a single geometric landscape weaving together past, present, and future.

Perhaps the Akashic Record is like that too. A symbol containing past, present, and future. ‘Everything’ recorded somewhere within the endlessly connected mana patterns.

“Thanks to this, I was able to read an object’s past. This spell… yes, I’ll call it <Browse>.”

A murmur of ‘ah’ passed through the room.

Fel’s face in particular lit up brightly.

“So that’s why you said <Spear Ghost> isn’t necromancy but a spell that retrieves records!”

“That’s right.”

I nodded. And now for the conclusion.

“So… from now on, we need to reorganize our magical training methods. To make good use of the ‘magical joint.’ And to call up appropriate records from the Akashic Record.”

Fortunately, the number of ‘magical joints’ in the test tubes was enough for all eight members of the Baek Jun-woo Research Nomad and then some. We decided to first distribute one to each person and provide appropriate training methods.

“For instance, Fel should now train in Ki-blood magic. The fact that Fel can retrieve records from the Akashic Record without a special gift seems to be mediated by his spear techniques, knowledge, and connection with the ancient mage Jo Hee-ryong. As you get stronger, you’ll be able to draw up more records, so don’t neglect Ki-blood magic training. You should also pay attention to applying the magical joint to your spear technique.”

I outlined new training methods tailored to each person in this way.

But what about me…

How should I use this ‘magical joint’?

Iron Blood, as the senior who entered my body first, do you have any good suggestions?

[?$$%@※?~~]

Whether it understood me or not…

Anyway, since defeating the magical beast, Iron Blood had been emitting nothing but pleasant mental waves.

+ – + – +

Flap.

Earn Jack, lying on his sickbed, received a glowing bird. As he grasped the bird, light as air, a low voice brushed his ear.

-We will arrive soon. Please be careful. Rumors are widespread that the Butchers are targeting Pan-Dalus.

Earn Jack steadied his frail breath and cleared his throat for a long time before answering the message.

“We will make all preparations. But since Pan-Dalus has come down to the 3rd floor… some fierce storms are inevitable. However, remember that any hardship pales in comparison to the coming great cataclysm. Let us not forget our initial resolve. Please convey that.”

Earn Jack whispered the message into the bird’s ear and sent it flying again.

“Are those field researchers?”

The question came from Ann Jack.

Petite build, copper-colored hair, and gray eyes. A 17-year-old lady. A small hero responsible for Lanciel City’s practical affairs in place of her father, who was bedridden with magical power addiction, and her second brother, Fel, who was away.

“Yes. They say they want to pass through our city on their way to the Tower of Covenant.”

“The Tower of Covenant…”

Ann muttered those words. While mages her age would inevitably feel excited by that name, Ann instead frowned.

“…I’m still worried. A 6th Circle mage chased down to the 3rd floor of the Tower of Covenant… to such a lowly place. If we get involved carelessly, we might face great disaster.”

Ann wanted to speak more bluntly, but considering her father’s feelings, she deliberately suppressed her inner thoughts.

She couldn’t understand why her father and brother followed the Academy in the first place. If they followed the Society instead, at least they would get something in return for what they gave. No matter how she looked at it, their obligations to the Academy were far greater.

‘After my eldest brother died like that… even after father contracted magical power addiction… what exactly have they done for us?’

And now they’re following a mage who’s been exiled to the lower floors due to factional fighting within the Academy?

Ann slightly turned her face away to hide her bubbling expression.

But Earn Jack, catching his breath laboriously on his sickbed, noticed his daughter’s discomfort.

“Ann.”

“…Yes?”

Ann was startled when she turned her head at his call. Her father’s gray eyes, usually hazy, were now clearly focused.

Ann straightened her posture. Her father only showed such seriousness when imparting teachings to lead the family. It had been more than a year since she’d last seen him like this.

Her father asked:

“What is the reason our family stands with the Academy?”

“Well… for humanity.”

Her father shook his head.

“No. It’s for ourselves. When our ancestors decided to support the Academy, what they considered was nothing other than… our family’s survival. Society? Truth Tower? The Druids. Even Magic Tower… we considered all of them. Nevertheless, we chose the Academy solely because only the Academy remembered and prepared for destruction.”

“Destruction…?”

“Yes. Others act as if they’ve forgotten about destruction altogether. But we must not forget. Even at this moment, the world is steadily being destroyed. So remember. In the end, it’s not those who enjoy wealth and glory who survive. Only those who prepare can survive. That’s also why I support Pan-Dalus now. So you don’t need to doubt at all. Though we may experience temporary hardship and humiliation by choosing this path… we will eventually prevail.”

Ann bowed her head deeply. But inwardly, she still wasn’t fully convinced.

Earn Jack knew this but said nothing more. He caught his breath and looked out the window.

“By the way, your brother will be here soon. Along with an outstanding mage to whom one can entrust their life… how fortunate your brother is to have formed a connection with such a hero. I hope the Divine Mage appreciates our gift. If not wings, at least a small feather would be nice to provide.”

With that, Earn Jack fell silent. Only his chest barely rose and fell.

Wei Dun, standing nearby, whispered to Ann.

“Miss. The mayor should rest now.”

Nodding, Ann finished her greeting and left the room. Just before closing the door, she heard a faint murmur along with labored breathing.

“This time, the signal flare will surely rise.”

Her brother, who had been briefly missing since fighting the Lightning Calamity. This time there would be a festival celebrating his triumphant return.

“I hope he returns soon.”

Despite having many troubling concerns, Ann’s mood inevitably improved at the thought of her brother’s return.

“And I wonder if I’ll finally learn what makes someone a ‘Divine Mage’…”

Outside the window, a look of disapproval flashed across Ann Jack’s face.