Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: The Path of the Magic Swordsman (2)
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After blankly clearing the 21st floor of the Tower of Trials, I posted on the gallery in hopes of finding some solution.
The gallery was a total mess because of the post I'd written and then ditched, but I didn't have the luxury to care about that.
I had to save myself first. Cola or whatever, I'd give it all up—just let me live.
'This is seriously fucked.'
About 30% of the comments were "Why is this guy fine?", and 70% from what looked like mages saying "That's impossible."
There were ways, but learning through the gallery seemed impossible.
Not even sure if any gallery users could actually teach sensing mana.
"...Is this really the end?"
Just burning TP pointlessly and calling it quits like this.
'Maybe buying a staff will give me mana...?'
Staves weren't there for nothing, right?
Maybe they had options like [MP +100].
"..."
The problem was I had no TP.
Honestly, even buying a staff probably wouldn't give me mana.
'Swordsmanship stuff was at least readable...'
I could understand what was written there.
Stance, points of caution, foundations—all neatly laid out for easy grasp. And I could actually practice it.
Not sure if it'd become a skill yet, but at least it seemed like I could make it my own with effort.
"My 5,500 TP..."
I'd rather the bed break if it meant I could sense mana.
Then I'd figure something out. Was there really no way?
"Ah... That guy from earlier got banned."
I dazedly entered the gallery at the manager's comment notification.
The transient who'd taken the cola had posted proof after getting orange juice. Got dogeza'd into national rule status from all the flak.
Still got banned by the manager for two weeks.
'Plenty of comments worrying about me too.'
In just hours, five comments on the manager.
From "You okay?" to "How should we handle this?" and more.
If things had gone to plan, I'd feel less guilty, but shit got tangled.
I gave the manager a rough reply, then flopped onto the hideout bed.
No energy. Will to climb the tower completely gone.
Super railgun... no, railgun dreams shattered.
Dream of an archmage wielding every element crumbled at the first step.
"Heavens!!!"
"..."
Seeing the manager's new replies struck me like lightning.
Did it have to be mana? Obviously—mana or magic power for magic, right?
But... did I have to have the mana?
What if there was a substitute for mana? Like using parchment for one-use spells—couldn't that replace it?
With magic from every world gathered here, surely some used materials.
For example—
'Magic stone.'
Gem magic.
I had no way to get mana, but if I could use items containing mana itself...
"Whoa...!"
It actually exists.
Not sure if for experiments or magic tools, but price was steep—didn't matter if I could cast spells.
Just knowing hope remained made my heart race again.
Gulp.
In 5 minutes, my fate would be sealed.
If—just if—this worked, I'd have even more reason to climb the tower.
Didn't care about paying for magic. Please let it work.
'Thanks, but not now, Wiki.'
Ignored the tip and shoved my phone in my pocket.
Squeeze—!
"Hoo..."
A black magic stone a bit bigger than a marble.
Deep breath while feeling it in my hand.
I'd memorized spellcasting and skill use from the [Basic Lightning Magic] skillbook.
All that remained was short incantation and cast.
'Which one first?'
Lightning Bolt: single target.
Chain Lightning: AoE.
'...Whatever. If it works, I'll use both anyway.'
With that, I glared and gripped the stone tighter—
"Lightning Bolt!!"
I swung my arm hard, casting at the air.
"..."
Incantation not working...?
Maybe there's a special way for magic stones.
'Lightning Bolt.'
Whoosh—!
"..."
No, fuck, not this way either?
Magic stones totally useless?
What am I supposed to do then?
"You fucking Lightning Bolt—!!"
Overwhelmed by futility, I hurled the stone and incanted again.
Flash—
"...Huh."
I blinked blankly as the stone left my hand, turning into a blue lightning orb and flying off.
Kaboomboomboomboom—!!!
"It worked...?"
The spell vanished on hitting the tower wall.
I let out a hollow laugh at the roar and plume of pale smoke.
It worked. Success.
Definitely came from my hand.
"It worked—!!"
At this miracle—scene I'd never seen in reality—I clenched my fists like a kid.
'Just need magic stones.'
Then I could use any magic.
With skillbooks available to me, infinite possibilities opened.
Fire? Water? Obviously.
Insane archmage spells I'd never heard of, even that brainwashing one— all possible.
Smiling at the smoking wall, the Wiki alert chimed.
"Okay...!"
Grinned wide at what felt like acknowledgment of my success.
Parrying activated after building proficiency.
Not sure the difference between auxiliary and auto activation, but clear I could use it with stones from now on.
『Tower of Trials』
-22-
Blitzed the 22nd floor of the Trial Tower at light speed, then all-in remaining TP on lower magic stones.
Only got 4, though.
Gulp.
"Chain Lightning!!"
Cast another spell right as Star Bang delivery arrived.
Krzzzzzzt—!!
Success as expected.
Immense thrill at blue lightning chaining up the wall.
'It works, for real.'
Magic stones let me use any magic.
Melee and parry with sword, ranged with stone magic.
Basically a magic swordsman. Could do anything now.
Climbing while farming TP, one-man army surely possible someday.
Stones expensive? Fine.
100 TP per spell? Skip meals awhile.
Crackle—!
Without the manager, I'd be holed up crying in the hideout.
Hail Manager.
My home eraser does the best job in the world!
[Tower of Mind]
-1st Run 30th Floor Strategy: Time to escape increases every time you move.
"..."
A place filled with pitch darkness everywhere.
Tower of Mind 10th floor made you walk nonstop, 20th had ghosts swarming me, 30th pins you in place.
Staying still in total darkness might seem easy, but...
Screeech... skreeee...
Unidentifiable scraping sounds.
Thud! Thud! Boom!!
Echoes from unknown sources.
"Grrrrraaahhh..."
"Sob... hic... sob..."
Voices laden with grudges.
Rumble...!!
Vibrations like doors opening midway.
Torments the mind to make you move. Moving extends clear time.
No matter what happens or sounds, stay still to clear.
'No idea how long I've been here.'
Feels like three hours sitting.
Probably not, but way too long.
Not scarier than 10th, but doubt creeps in: is just sitting right?
'That's the trick, though.'
Gotta endure motionlessly.
"Hoo..."
Not that hard. Not scary.
After tougher stuff lately, this felt peaceful.
'What next?'
Excited for incoming TP instead.
Flash—!
Rumble...!!
"Speak of the tiger."
Door-opening sounds I'd heard tons, but light came first this time.
Two doors opening neatly for clear, light beams on the blackness—I stood.
『Tower of Mind』
-30-
"Ngh...!"
Shook out my stiff body and stepped forward.
-1-
[Apocalypse 324:07:23:03]
[Section 1:07:23:03]
[135 / 42]
Click—!
About two weeks since realizing magic stones work for spells.
Over 40 days since entering towers.
'Climbed a lot.'
Grinded hard for TP those two weeks.
...Well, not that hard.
Anyway, fueled by magic dreams, cut gallery time to climb.
Squeeze—!
"Muscles building up?"
Hours daily on strength and sword training.
No huge visible change, but better than day one.
'Still far from unlocking.'
Feels like good progress, but long way left.
Practiced/experimented magic stones to 25th Trial Tower.
Found throwing multiple stones casts multiple spells simultaneously.
Same spell multiples, or different ones.
Trial and error, lots of stones burned, but success.
'Thanks to Wiki auxiliary.'
Even I think it's ridiculous, but became chantless multi-magic badass mage.
Wonder if it counts as mage...
Using magic, so calling myself one.
Might even be more impressive.
Step—
'No anomalies this time either.'
Mind and Fate Towers to 30, no anomalies.
As expected only in Wisdom Tower? Or conditions unmet? Unknown.
"Kya~ Jackpot."
Smiled at TP alerts.
Others probably moved first to learn 30th clear con.
I just followed Wiki and stayed put on entry.
Wiki made it easy, bonus too—grateful.
Earned some climbing Mind/Fate, but spent plenty.
Over 3k on stones alone.
Sprinkled cola on gallery, sent Manager extra Bugki thanks.
'Still, decent chunk saved...'
Shop one more spell, challenge Trial 30th in days.
Royal Knight swordsmanship fully mine.
Want real combat experience for melee and ranged.
25th just boring grinds.
'What to learn next.'
Hadn't picked new spell.
Cart full, all tempting.
Slide—
"...Priorities first."
Back to hideout, sipped pre-ordered cool water (1 TP), entered gallery.
About 10 days since 'Month to 100 Floors' proof post—no proofs since.
Tedious every 10 floors, reactions waning.
Proofs made them crave cola over me—time for re-education.
Talk about me down a lot now.
Post speed slowed overall.
'This normal, really.'
Everyone trapped climbing towers, can't properly discuss them.
No hot bait, just same convos minus my occasional bait.
Hundreds, thousands years like this—same posts forever?
"There are."
Guys posting same shit for centuries here.
'...Both mages, right?'
Inspiration hit watching.
Debating new spell anyway...
Slide.
[Post Writing]
'Time to toss some bait.'
Gently prod into fight, learn winner's magic. Done.