Magic.

The implementation of order using magical energy as a cost. In essence, using mana as a cost to manifest various phenomena.

Magic as a technology was born alongside a great cataclysm.

At that time, most magic was simple and intuitive, fitting under the moniker of ‘mana manipulation’, but modern magic has branched into dozens, if not hundreds, of different schools of thought.

The lowest tier of magic, Mana Strike.

The ranking of ‘lowest tier’ here is the difficulty level assigned by the ‘Magicians’ Guild’, the most influential association of mages in the world.

It aligns with the six-tier ranking system used by the association to categorize heroes and hunters: supreme, high, upper-middle, lower-middle, low, and lowest.

Lowest tier: indicating the simplest difficulty level for magic.

As mentioned earlier, magic during the cataclysm was so rudimentary it could be referred to as mana manipulation.

Mana Strike was also from that era. Mages at the time used magic similar to Mana Strike to vanquish monsters.

Since then, nearly two centuries have passed — enough time for several nations to rise and fall.

In those 200 years when all sorts of miraculous and strange beings were rampant, the world map changed significantly.

Over such time, magic developed. Especially in a chaotic era, the development of magic, seen as a possible solution to quell the anarchy, surged swiftly.

– Rustle

Inside the library. I sighed involuntarily as I stacked magical tomes beside me while reading.

Shio-ram is immensely vast. While most of it houses dungeons, there are also many extensive non-dungeon areas.

There are commercial districts for buying and selling necessities of life and residential zones where those workers stay.

There are dormitory areas where students live and nearby convenience facilities, as well as learning areas divided by school year, and so on.

That’s why I haven’t seen many students from other grades while living in Shio-ram. There will be interaction between different classes and grades after the three months of free semester, but right now, not so much.

Given such vast premises, there are also numerous libraries. This one is the closest to the freshmen’s area.

The library was sparsely populated. Most first-year students are still returning from the dungeons at this time.

The library, as huge as it is, has very little human presence, making it feel empty despite the warm interior decor.

‘Sigh…’

My mind wandered. The contents of the book I was reading were so complex, the thought of escaping crept into my mind. With some difficulty, I suppressed this shameful thought.

I set the book aside and opened another one I had brought with me. Another tome about magic.

I wondered why, even though hologram technology was relatively widespread, paper tomes were still insisted upon.

In truth, flipping through books is unnecessary for someone like me who views the world through spatial perception, not eyes.

I do not need to actually flip through the pages to read the content within a book. It was a bit cumbersome before, but after growing stronger upon entering the dungeons, it has become fairly easy.

Yet I still flipped through the book. This was true for other actions as well. Though I don’t have to speak out loud or see with my eyes when I converse, I choose to face people directly.

I chewed energy bars for health even though I couldn’t taste them, and sometimes actually ate proper meals even if they soured my mood.

Even though I couldn’t smell, I would purposely go to grassy areas to make the motions of inhaling the scent.

And then I felt worse. I could no longer enjoy what I once did. The contrast between past and present spoiled my mood.

At the same time, a feeling of defiance and a thirst arose in me. I may be like this now, but someday, when this curse is lifted, how sweet will the world look, taste, and smell?

A kind of motivation. This was how I wanted to spur myself on, even if just a little bit.

…Ah, my thoughts have strayed again. Such a pitiful guy.

I grimaced and put down my pen, stretching both arms above me for a change of pace.

‘Crrreeeak…’

A thrilling sensation tickled from my fingertips down my spine. My mind suddenly sharpened, banishing the weariness that had been creeping at the edges of my consciousness.

I opened the next book.

…

…

Let’s think.

The Mana Strike I tested before entering the dungeon.

It was smaller than my torso, and its effective range was less than 10 meters. Its power was so underwhelming that it couldn’t even rend the earth properly.

The Mana Strike used in the Nokwi Tribe’s territory during the dungeon expedition.

It was twice my height in size. The actual range was enough to cross the tribe; thus, it’s more than 30 meters. Its power sliced the earth as easily as tofu and even cleaved the arms of a handful of eighth-ranked Nokwi and seventh-ranked Nokwi.

Lowest-tier magic
[Mana Strike]

– Crash!

The Strike surged from my fingertips. The rough wind pressure it generated sliced through the target. Crack! The target, ineffectively split in half, tumbled to the ground.

I exited the library, reaching a training facility. This was a magic practice room meant for testing the performance of spells.

The split target and the remnants of the Mana Strike on the floor were visited by a whirl of light which then immaculately repaired the aftermath. A restoration spell embedded in the facility.

‘Hmm…’

The Mana Strike I just cast was inferior to the one I had used back in the Nokwi Tribe. Its output was similar to when I tested it upon returning to the main facility.

Yet, it was undeniably different from before my dungeon entry.

Its enhancement in output was clear and irrefutable.

Lowest-tier magic typically sees little use. Its spells are considered primitive and intuitive, akin to pure mana manipulation.

They lack the attribute changes of low-tier spells and don’t feature the diverse compositions found in higher tiers of magic.

Before advancing to low-tier, these spells are seen as the basics of learning how to construct spells.

There are generally two reasons for a change in a spell’s output.

Firstly, alteration of the spell formula itself.

A mage can adapt and modify a spell formula to suit their style.

While it is rare for someone to directly use ‘Mana Strike’, many use its formula as a reference for other spells or adapt its principles for different uses.

I didn’t modify the formula. I employed it just as I’d seen in the tomes. Therefore, I’ll disregard the first assumption.

Secondly, the distinct nature of the mana used in the spell.

The nature of the mana constructing the spell can influence the result.

Take Hong Yeon-hwa, for instance.

Although she does not wield magic… if we assume she did, could she use frost magic?

With mana of a fiery nature due to Gop-hwa?

The truth is, it’s virtually impossible. The spell would warp mid-casting and fail. When mana takes on a particular attribute, it often fails to carry out spells with opposing phenomena.

Thus, most mages either delve into magic that fits their mana’s nature or they intentionally alter their mana’s traits for diverse uses.

I too possess certain qualities in my mana.

– Your mana is incredibly pure.

That was Liana, assisting me during mana initiation.

She made that comment upon confirming the mana within my core.

Purity in mana is favorable. Being free of impurities, it flows smoothly and straight, which increases the output of manifestation.

My mana is pure. It’s a compliment that elevated my mood, yet it’s strange to consider it an attribute.

– Hmm… How should I explain it? Lee Hayul’s mana is exceptionally pure, I guess? It’s quite different from other superhumans.

A superhuman continuously trains their mana after awakening.

They enlarge their core, broaden and solidify their circuits. They increase the total amount of mana and constantly enhance their ability to control it.

During this process, impurities get mixed in.

Drawing in mana from outside themselves invites impurities, reducing purity.

Maintaining mana purity is thus an incredibly challenging task.

The possibility that such purity affects the output of magic? It’s not out of the question. However, it doesn’t explain the discrepancies between using it inside versus outside the dungeon.

“Tsk…”

Neither adjusting the spell formula nor the mana’s nature sufficiently answered the question.

‘I want to know why if possible…’

The enhancement of the magic’s output. Although it was sudden at the time, upon reflection, it’s not a negative thing at all.

Quite the contrary, it’s something to be welcomed with open arms. The problem is simply the vexing lack of a reason.

‘…Spatial Perception?’

The final possibility. The only change that occurred when entering the dungeon was in my spatial perception.

It has grown wider and became far more precise.

I still don’t fully understand it, but it seemed like something was different about my spatial perception in the dungeon.

But regardless of that, could spatial perception influence magic?

Magic Affinity or Versatility isn’t the issue here, but spatial perception?

‘Complicated…’

With a sigh, I summoned my mana. Though still meager compared to other students, my mana transformed into a spell behind me.

Low-tier magic
[Fireball]

– Whoosh!

A fireball rose behind me, smaller than my head.

The fireball, tracing a red line, struck the target head-on.

– Boom!

With a small explosion, the fireball shattered the target beyond recognition. The scattered debris served as proof.

Today, I even reached out to low-tier magic.

I improved my mana manipulation level, and apparently, my proficiency increased from using magic in the dungeon, now able to grasp the essence of basic low-tier spells.

Of course, with magic being so varied, I’ve only just touched a small portion related to combat.

I felt slightly elevated. I was developing more smoothly than worried.

A check revealed that my martial arts had already caught up with the students, and my innate abilities were increasingly unveiling their potential.

I’d initiated into mana usage, and with a sufficient amount of mana, I could use Qi and physical reinforcement for extended periods.

Magic was an additional field I was touching upon. Currently, just a few uses would drain my mana, but with enough mana, it would serve as a robust asset.

If everything continues to proceed on the right track, my odds of dying suddenly in some unfortunate place would decrease.

The Tower of Growth. If I just fulfill my goals there, I won’t suffer too much while acquiring the Confession Necklace.

‘Sigh…’

Thinking of mana quantity, a sigh naturally escaped me.

With ample mana, I could freely use physical reinforcement, Qi, and magic.

The biggest problem remains increasing the amount of mana…

Was it the fifth run? I remember it as the run where focusing on magic resulted in a dramatic shortage of mana.

Hence, I had to pull all sorts of tricks to acquire elixirs and hidden pieces early in the game…

Now, without a chance at hidden pieces or anything, here I am.

‘If only I could take an elixir…’

With my Mana Affinity, I would absorb it more efficiently.

Shaking my head at the futility, I discarded the wishful thinking. If it were that easy to get, it wouldn’t be called an elixir…

Exiting the practice room with another sigh, I expanded the spatial perception I had narrowed for focus.

The wide expanse of my spatial perception…

Inside the building, in the straight hallway, a woman walked towards me.

Her aquamarine hair, long enough to touch her waist, swirled gently.

Her eyes, reminiscent of a clear ocean, blinked and curled into a pleasant arc.

A natural and soft smile that effortlessly relaxed one’s tension.

“Hello? It’s been a long time since we last met.”

Baek Ahrin said, smiling. It was the same smile and voice I had often seen and heard in the first run.

In the eighth run, I saw and heard a different expression and words.

– I’m sorry. Please, take my place in death.

Her face frozen in an emotionless state. A voice without inflection, cold…

…A chill settled in one corner of my heart.