Blue Enhancement
Lim Dojun's first encounter upon entering the Blue Magic Tower had been low-level magic.
The magic system progressed from low-level spells to mid-level, then high-level. He had already mastered the basics and currently knew up to mid-level magic.
However, stepping into the realm of secret arts was an entirely different matter. It was not about learning ordinary magic but grasping an entirely new concept.
To be honest, even while reading, he could not understand what any of it meant.
'Dominate the color blue with the pride of a Blue Magic Tower wizard? Is the grammar even correct here?'
Dominate a color? His eyes followed the text, yet his mind refused to process it.
Still, it did not matter. The secret art manual was not thick, so reading it did not take long.
'How inconsiderate.'
That thought came naturally once he was nearly finished. The explanations were vague, and even those were short. It could not be helped; secret arts were meant for geniuses—monsters who could comprehend and wield magic without guidance.
Even Delcrein, the branch leader, lacked the talent to enter the secret arts.
From Lim Dojun's perspective, the thin book was a blessing. Mastering mid-level magic had required thick tomes and several sleepless nights. This time, no such effort was needed.
-Thud
The moment he closed the final page, a message appeared.
Skill 'Blue Magic Tower Secret Art - Blue Enhancement' has been acquired.
Lim Dojun closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the knowledge drifting through his mind. Things that had made no sense during the first reading now became perfectly clear. The sudden influx of vast information made his head ache slightly, but it was bearable.
A short while later, he opened his eyes and spread his hand.
-Crackle
A sword of vivid blue ice formed above his palm. Because it was created through the 'Imperfect Dragon-style Magic,' the blade was far harder and sharper than anything an ordinary wizard could produce.
He then activated the newly learned 'Blue Enhancement.'
The effect was simple. Any magic containing the color blue had its form and power greatly amplified.
-Crackle!
The once plain ice sword grew larger, and the image of an ascending dragon was engraved near the hilt. Lim Dojun swung the sword lightly. Blue light gathered along the blade, and a single sword aura shot forth, splitting the wall.
-Whoosh!
-Crack!
A fine crack appeared on the reinforced training room wall. It was deep enough that it would be difficult to notice from outside.
"...Haha."
Lim Dojun laughed in disbelief. Sword aura was a secret technique only returnees who had undergone extensive training could use. Yet he had just produced it by swinging a sword made of magic. The combination of 'Imperfect Dragon-style Magic' and 'Blue Enhancement' had made it possible.
"Unbelievable."
Moreover, Blue Enhancement had limitless applications. Any magic that was blue could be enhanced. Since all of Lim Dojun's ice-attribute spells qualified, their power would be on an entirely different level from before.
There was a drawback, however. Magic cast this way consumed an absurd amount of mana. Dragon-style magic was already convenient and powerful but a mana-devouring monster. Adding enhancement felt like multiplying that monster by five.
'Elixir. I need to obtain an elixir first.'
Fortunately, he had accumulated a considerable amount of contribution points. He could use them to purchase decent elixirs from the tower.
* * *
Lim Dojun had mostly taken ruin exploration missions. He had cherry-picked the most difficult yet rewarding ones, and not long ago he had even captured members of the Extreme Martial God Sect. All of it had been recorded as Blue Magic Tower contribution points, resulting in a substantial sum.
Contribution points were the currency of the tower. They could be exchanged for cash, high-grade spellbooks, or even the services of senior wizards as private tutors—provided the wizard was willing to accept points.
Elixirs worked the same way.
'I should try purchasing a 3rd-grade elixir.'
He had consumed 4th- and 5th-grade elixirs before. Each grade increase multiplied the effects exponentially, and the price rose at a squared rate, making them difficult to obtain. Even so, his accumulated points should be enough for a 3rd-grade elixir.
'Now that I've learned Blue Enhancement, increasing my mana capacity takes priority. I need to invest boldly.'
Truthfully, there were few other uses for his points. While heading down the corridor to report his return to his master, Lim Dojun passed the lounge and spotted Jo Difel and Casian through an open door, both deeply focused on something.
"Senior, it's been a while."
Recognizing familiar faces, he stepped inside to greet them.
"Oh! Dojun!"
"You're here!?"
The two, surrounded by countless papers on their desks, welcomed him enthusiastically. Lim Dojun wondered why they were so excited, but their reaction was understandable. They had heard from Gunter how much they stood to gain by working with him and had been waiting for the next opportunity to join him.
'Should I ask?'
'Let's do it!'
Jo Difel and Casian exchanged glances and immediately pulled out a sheet of paper.
"Dojun, could you take a look at this?"
"What is it?"
"It's a map to an ancient ruin we happened to find. We still need to finish the translation, but once it's done, would you like to go together?"
Casian's words immediately piqued his interest. It would not be an exaggeration to say he had reached this point thanks to them. Lim Dojun accepted the paper she handed him. Ancient script resembling wriggling earthworms covered the page, with scattered successful translations beneath it.
He stared at the original ancient text without even glancing at the translation.
"!!?"
Lim Dojun nearly stumbled. 'D-Dragon Heart?'
Most writings about dragons were dismissed as nonsense among wizards. They did not deny the creatures' existence; they knew dragons had been called the sovereigns of magic in ancient times. Yet modern wizards could not comprehend the knowledge left by the ancients.
Dragon Hearts were different. Some towers had risen to prominence simply by obtaining fragments of one.
"What do you think? Of course, the chances it's real are low. Finding a supreme treasure like a Dragon Heart based on a single map would be stranger."
The map could be fake, or someone else might have already claimed the treasure. Still, the fact that it had been discovered in the archives and remained unfound until now made it worth the gamble. It was a worthwhile bet.
Casian, whose specialty was exploration, had always dreamed of ruins accessible through this level of ancient script. Jo Difel had found the map himself and was prepared to take the risk, but he knew they needed a powerful wizard's help.
Both waited anxiously. If Lim Dojun refused, they would have to find someone else, and it was doubtful anyone would accept such uncertain information. More than that, they were already captivated by him.
Lim Dojun's answer was obvious.
"I'd be happy to. I want to go as well."
"Yes! No taking it back later!"
"Of course not."
"I'll buy the barrier stones to keep monsters away with my points!" Casian offered, trying to be considerate, but Lim Dojun shook his head.
"You don't need to worry about monsters on the way."
"Why? Are you planning to handle them all? That sounds exhausting..." Jo Difel said apologetically.
"I've released a drake outside the city. Riding it keeps monsters away."
"......?"
"......?"
They released what outside?
* * *
Back on Earth, Lim Dojun met Lee Sehan for coffee, just as he had previously met Go Wonjin.
"I never imagined you possessed such an ability."
"It's nothing special..."
"Don't say that. It's an incredible power."
"...It really is nothing special."
Lim Dojun nodded. The moment a returnee came back, all connections to the other world were severed. Lim Dojun could maintain a sliver of that connection. More precisely, he could bring items from Astelgard into his pocket dimension, but that alone was extraordinary. Any returnee who heard about it would be stunned.
"Just don't go telling people carelessly. The members of our association are trustworthy, but there are unstable individuals. They might try to kidnap you regardless of any agreements."
"Even though my ability only works on Astelgard items?"
"They might not believe that, or they might think they can develop it further for themselves."
Lim Dojun nodded. He had revealed part of his pocket dimension's function to integrate into the Astelgard Association, but risks came with it. So far he had only met good people and avoided threats, yet not everyone was kind.
'If that time comes, I'll have to use force as well.'
He was not afraid of such situations.
"We can't always meet only good people like you and Go Wonjin."
"...Thank you for thinking well of me, but being mentioned alongside Go Wonjin feels a bit off."
Lee Sehan spoke with a slightly displeased expression. Being compared to Go Wonjin was not something he expected to hear.
"Ah, right. Go Wonjin and the Ghost Temple are in a full-blown fight right now."
"What?"
"Apparently Go Wonjin suddenly raided a Ghost Temple member's house and killed him. He even destroyed the soul. He must have been unable to forgive them. He's started his revenge, and they're clashing hard."
"Haha..."
Lim Dojun merely laughed and sipped his coffee. He could hardly admit he had been present or that the man's soul had become a soul stone now resting in his pocket dimension.
"Shouldn't you help him?"
"Help? He told everyone to stay out of it and looked thrilled. Said he was going to dance with his sword properly for the first time in a while."
"......"
"That said, you should be careful too, Dojun. They're planning to target Astelgard Association members for revenge."
Strictly speaking, Lim Dojun was not a member, but he had received an invitation and built good relationships. The Ghost Temple would not leave him alone if they found out.
"Understood. I'll be careful."
As he spoke, Lim Dojun thought he might as well advertise for more targets. The soul stone containing Park Chanwoo's soul was currently being unsealed, thanks to a helpful Extreme Martial God Sect member. The process would take a few days. Capturing another Ghost Temple spellcaster while waiting would not be a bad idea. More prisoners were always better. He could interrogate them or use them for a confrontation with Park Chanwoo's soul stone later.
'I'm not the same person I used to be.'
Spellcasters were not difficult for him, and with the Blue Magic Tower's secret art, he had grown much stronger. He was confident he could handle them if they appeared.
"Of course, I only mentioned it just in case. Those spellcasters are so insidious..."
"......"
At that moment, Lee Sehan stopped mid-sentence. An unpleasant sensation crept up his spine. He turned his head to the side.
A slender man wearing a mask stood there.
"Lee Sehan, returnee from Astelgard. Correct?"
"...And you are?"
"You chose the wrong acquaintance. I will punish you in the name of the Ghost Temple."
A Ghost Temple spellcaster had arrived.
Lim Dojun was genuinely surprised.
'...Does my luck stat apply on Earth as well?'