Chapter 99: The Root of Arilleia

[Name: Hyunseung Lee (Gijong☆Cheonma★)]

[Strength: 50]

[Agility: 50]

[Stamina: 50]

[Mana: 420 (+45)]

[Spiritual Power: 45]

[Divine Power: 10]

[Main Trait: Genius of Mana Resonance]

[Sub Trait: Cannot Live Without Style!]

[Auxiliary Trait: Everything is Doubled!]

[Hidden Trait: Violence is Not Allowed! (Endurance: 0/1000)]

[Trait: Ghost’s Eye]

[Trait: Movie]

[Skill: Thunder Emperor]

[Skill: Azure Flame]

[Skill: Summon Death God]

[Skill: Celestial]

‘Stories about the “Guardian Knight Who Defeated the Villain” are spreading.’

‘Stories about the “Guardian Knight Who Protected Imenia” are spreading.’

‘Stories about the “Mage Who Commands Lightning” are spreading.’

Though the fame points rose slowly, they climbed steadily.

If the fame from the outside world shoots up overnight and barely rises afterward, that kind of fame feels shallow.

But the fame in this world was steady and persistent.

The quality of this fame was high.

Rumors spread from mouth to mouth, some exaggerated or inflated, sparking imaginations in people’s minds.

‘A mad mage who defied the Sword Saint for the sake of a young girl.’

‘A dark mage who single-handedly quelled the monster wave in the East.’

‘A mage who commands lightning.’

‘A knight who refused death.’

‘A mage who elevated a fragile princess to sit above the emperor.’

‘Guardian Knight of the Emperor, protector of the empire.’

‘A hero who toppled the symbol of terror.’

Such stories merged and tangled into rumors.

Widely spread and transformed into various names, these stories etched themselves into the memories of many.

They became admiration, envy, or someone’s dream.

For others, they turned into a goal.

Ultimately, they unified into a single name:

‘Hope.’

This slowly built reputation was high quality and steady.

It meant Hio’s fame points were rising quickly.

“My mana stat is about to reach its limit.”

Investing every gain into mana, the mana stat had already surpassed the 400s.

It was enough to reach the 4th Circle.

“1”Getting to the 5th Circle will be smooth enough. The problem is what comes after. You know that, right?

“Of course.”

Honestly, at this stage in magic, there’s not much help to be gained.

It’s more for evolving skills.

Top-tier offensive and defensive skills.

Skills that shine in war-sized battles.

Among such overwhelming skills, mere 3rd Circle magic is meaningless.

But if one reaches the 5th Circle, and beyond that, the 6th Circle, things will be distinctly different.

From there, it’s not just about the amount of mana, but a certain enlightenment is needed.

One might expect it to be similar to willpower.

“As I always say, it’s an astonishing speed. Been about two years since you started magic, and now you’re challenging the 4th Circle.”

“Lucky, I guess.”

“But I also know your effort was tremendous.”

Luck cannot be denied, but it was not luck alone that made this possible.

From the moment he encountered the old mage struggling alone in Kobold’s Domain,

Under the still false prediction of Azure Flame, their final conversation, “I will complete the ultimate magic.”

“I will make sure no one ever disrespects magic again.”

Before him, the old mage’s expression was something else.

What feelings did he carry, shedding a single tear under those wrinkled eyes?

‘How peaceful was his final expression?’

His unfulfilled dream and passion were now united with Hyunseung’s.

That was the very reason he had gritted his teeth and worked so hard.

“Anyway, the decision made was disappointing.”

The meeting that had started early in the morning.

Even though he had pulled off a nationwide illusion scam to prove he was a mage, the result was quite disappointing.

“We will not enter the Abyss Gate.”

That was the decision.

It was a choice contradictory to Hio’s insistence.

What the Abyss Gate was, and the necessity to tackle it.

The continent was preparing for it, but Arilleia had to prepare as well.

They insisted they had to enter the Abyss.

Yet, ironically, it was decided not to enter.

When there was no information, it might have been understandable.

But knowing that the anomalies appeared not just in Arilleia, but everywhere, they chose to defend.

As they had for a thousand years.

It was their long-standing mission.

To guard the dragon and awaken it when destruction comes again.

That was the reason for Arilleia Island’s existence, and a sacred duty from ancient ancestors.

“It’s hard to push for forcing entry there.”

In such a situation, insisting on entering the Abyss Gate was difficult.

He had only been here for a day, an outsider.

Meanwhile, they were Arilleians who lived solely to guard.

They were thoroughly preparing for the 51st floor assault.

Wanting to enter the Abyss Gate was more Hio’s anxiety.

Besides, many were still doubtful.

About the possibility of magic.

They kept trying steadily, but magic was something never successfully done in all those years.

Their distrust was deeply rooted.

Showing a skill once was insufficient to gain full trust.

So after the meeting ended, the situation was as it was.

“Hio Pavlenko.”

An elf came to find Hio, who was resting alone.

“Preparations are complete. Shall we go?”

What Hio had to prove was certain.

“To the Mage’s House.”

And, a full entry into the 4th Circle.

To become an advanced mage.

The gigantic tree at the center of Arilleia Island.

Also called the Sacred Beast.

No one knew its exact origin.

Some said it was the origin of the nature race, the elves.

Others said it was a tree created by the gods.

Though its true nature was unknown, one thing was certain.

This tree formed the island’s foundation.

Its towering height matched by roots sprawling deep into the sea, where various soils accumulated, creating the island.

At the beginning of those roots stood Hio.

Around him were Arilleia’s high-ranking elves, several humans led by Mutins, and of course, Freya and Regarda.

“Let’s enter.”

The massive roots branched into several parts.

The entrance was almost sealed.

It looked as if the tree itself was blocking entry.

Two elves stepped forward and spread the apparent entrance apart.

The passage inside was revealed.

It was not into the trunk, but into the roots.

Entering meant descending underground.

Inside, a sparkling procession of light adorned the space.

“…Huh.”

Hio let out a short breath of admiration, and Freya beside him smirked, sending a message.

Pretty, right? I’m always amazed when I come here. Hehe.

Usually, the Mage’s House is gloomy.

Hidden away or abandoned for ages, that’s inevitable.

But this time was different.

First, it was well maintained, and as Freya said, clusters of shining lights flew like fireflies, illuminating the surroundings.

But the reason Hio was surprised was something else.

“The mana… it’s immense.”

The overwhelming mana felt the moment he stepped inside the roots from outside.

He had sensed it before.

The flow of mana emanating from this massive tree itself.

But the mana sensed inside the roots was tens or even hundreds of times greater.

To compare roughly…

‘It’s comparable to the mana flow of the Tetradia Magic Tower.’

Such a tremendous amount of mana was palpable.

Hio’s eyes clearly saw the enormous flow of mana, prompting his exclamation.

Lt…….

“This much awe for a sight like this… are all mages like that?”

The ignorant Mutins mocked Hio.

After all, the first impression of this man was that of a con artist.

Whatever trick he used, he could never be a real mage.

The harsh words came as he anticipated the pathetic lies would soon be exposed.

“Mutins.”

“…Yes.”

Isidore’s sharp rebuke silenced him immediately.

Her dignified gaze then turned to Hio.

“This is the root of the Sacred Beast, and the so-called ‘Mage’s House’ built long ago.”

“So this is the Mage’s House.”

“Yes. And Hio Pavlenko, what you need to do is proof. Find the path leading downward in this empty space.”

It was a vast space, hard to believe it was inside a tree’s root.

But if this was truly the Mage’s House, it would not be much different from others.

“Understood.”

Finding a passage leading underground was not difficult.

After all, mages had entered and exited here countless times.

There was just a slight problem—

The mana around was overwhelmingly vast.

So finding a small flow of mana required some time and concentration.

Hio answered quietly and stood still, doing nothing, which perhaps made others think he did not understand.

Isidore then explained further.

“This is not about using devices or moving artifacts. Of course, some use mana crystals to travel underground, but it’s said that mages can open passages by themselves without such aids. We want to see that.”

“Yes.”

Again, Hio only responded, standing quietly, surveying the surroundings.

Surely, he was using the ‘Genius of Mana Resonance’ trait to seek a tiny stream connecting a passage through the overwhelming waves of mana.

‘But how could ordinary people understand the genius’ thoughts?’

To others, he looked like he was aimlessly looking around.

“Ha… I knew it.”

Mutins sighed and stepped forward again.

“I have never met a proper person among those who claim to be mages. This situation will soon be exposed. Yet he still looks around as if there’s something, raising his staff… the door opens…?”

Ignoring Mutins’ words, Hio lightly tapped a spot with his staff.

A rushing sound echoed as the root’s wall split open.

Revealed was a space sparkling like stars.

A staircase leading downward appeared.

“Let’s go.”

Ignoring the dumbfounded Mutins, Hio calmly passed through.

“Truly… you opened it.”

Isidore and the other elves followed behind.

Mutins regained his senses and hurried after them, descending the stairs.

“This is impossible…”

An impossible event had happened.

Actually, opening the underground passage was very easy with the help of a mana crystal.

The Mage’s House opened by simply inserting a mana crystal into the fixed device.

But without mana crystals, it was impossible to open.

No one understood the principle or could control it.

‘Yet how did Hio Pavlenko open it so easily…?’

‘Could he really be a mage?’

“No way.”

No way.

Magic was a steep barrier no one—himself, his father, or anyone beyond Arilleia—had ever passed.

Descending fiercely past that threshold, he was forced to widen his eyes again at the sight below.

With a casual tap of his staff, the underground stairs opened with a refreshing sound.

Seemingly understanding, the speed of opening passages accelerated.

Descending once more to the lower level, Hio showed no hesitation.

Upon arrival, he waved his staff and opened a passage.

“This is… impossible…”

Mutins, who had followed on foot to the lowest floor, collapsed onto the ground.

His lifelong, unquestioning premise was completely shattered.

Magic was an impossible discipline.

Such a deeply rooted belief was denied right before his eyes.

“You really found it.”

Though not as overwhelmed as Mutins, Isidore and the other elves’ reactions were also intense.

Even the calm, greatest elf widened her eyes in astonishment—proof of how tremendous the surprise was.

“Yes, well… it’s a place I’m somewhat familiar with.”

To Hio, this result was already expected, so no particular emotion stirred.

Mutins sat trembling on the ground.

His earlier slight sneers were just cute now.

Having endured all the nonsense calling him a clown, a con artist, and so on, filling his endurance gauge to 1000 four times, he no longer even cared.

And Hio’s mind was elsewhere entirely.

“Truly amazing. To be honest…”

“What kind of magic did you use? Even a little principle…”

“Did mages really exist! Ah…”

“Even Arilleia’s thousand-year mission finally…”

Praises, amazement, awe, and wonder echoed nearby, yet his expression remained serious and sunk.

The reason was what he had seen descending to the Mage’s House, underground floor 3.

The neatly organized books on floors 2 and 3 after passing the first floor.

And the meaning of the ancient language written within them, which he had deciphered.

He was so deeply immersed in thought that he hardly heard the voices around him.

“Heh… I doubted, but they really did exist.”

Purnel murmured softly in genuine surprise.

He lifted a book he had been walking toward.

The title was:

[Dragon Language Magic.]

Demigod.

The magic of dragons.