Chapter 68: SSS-Rank Item and the Magic Tower
When I was writing this novel, I had set up two main factions for the mages. One was the imperial mages, and the other was those belonging to the Magic Tower. Naturally, since mages were portrayed as truth-seekers striving solely to ascend to higher realms, the vast majority flocked to the Magic Tower.
The imperial mages had their own secret arts, which drew in plenty of disciples, but they were tangled up in politics—a major drawback. Still, with generous funding, their perks were top-notch. Mages serving the empire received treatment on par with knights, making it a ladder for social climbing.
In contrast, the Magic Tower offered a free-spirited atmosphere, free from political entanglements, funded by their own commercial ventures. No guarantees on status, but aside from Tower orders—which were rare and non-coercive—no one could command them. Personality-wise, Tower mages were sneakier: obsessed with training and research, indifferent to status, reclusive, and thus wildly eccentric. That was the setup.
So, how to lure in the Magic Tower mages? Simple: magic itself. This world's magic was riddled with gaps, countless spells lost to time. Originating from the ancient Mage Empire, its history was ancient, and with the empire's fall tied to a volcanic eruption, less than thirty percent of those spells survived to the present.
If I restored a hefty chunk and taught it to them? The Tower would bite.
"Time to visit the God's Tower."
I had nearly five million Karma stockpiled, held back for emergencies. But swaying the Magic Tower demanded this investment.
My magic was stuck at 6th Circle. I'd mastered it but hadn't dared the 7th yet. Mana wasn't the issue—the cost was prohibitive.
Now was the time.
I used a Shop Voucher. With two on hand, I saved the second for later. Who knew—I might snag another.
Whoosh!
Consciousness flickered, and I arrived at the God's Tower. Sure enough, Raen, the librarian, greeted me.
"Whoa, Hero! You're even stronger now!"
Raen acted familiar. We'd met a few times, and she'd evaluated me each visit. Lately, her take was my blistering growth rate. Odin was probably raising his own champion, but solo efforts slowed progress. I hoped that champion challenged me often—getting smashed each time made them perfect fodder. Couldn't ask for better.
"What'll it be today?"
"7th Circle magic tome, heavenly rice seeds, and growth agents."
"Excellent choices! The tomes are on sale right now!"
"Sale? On these?"
What nonsense was this? Did the God's Tower discount its wares?
Shrrk.
I fell into deep thought.
Fifty percent off. If I had the Karma, I'd snag the 8th Circle tome too. At five million, I was short about 1.5 million.
"No further discount, right?"
"Hey! Half off already—no way."
"Hmm."
I pondered. There had to be a way. 1.5 million? Random Boxes always yielded it. No duds on Karma yet—guaranteed.
"Fine, activate one now."
"Smart move. Sales don't last forever."
Ten million? That took insane god-baiting spectacles. Not easy. Better grab 8th Circle while the chance lasted. War would brew soon—more god-maddening ops.
"All in. Let's crack it!"
Bang!
God's Tower allowed Random Boxes, and time froze outside—no limits. Raen watched eagerly.
Brilliant light flashed, alarms popping up.
+2.5 Million Karma
"Wooow! Congrats!"
"You can see that?"
"Of course! I'm celestial too."
"Buy both tomes, then rice seeds and growth agents with the rest."
"Great picks! Why not summon that accessory now? You never know."
"Hm."
"Tip: Use summon scrolls when you need something specific."
"...!"
Context-tailored results? News to me.
If so...
"Magic-related drop possible, huh."
"Ding ding!"
No hero asks that here. Time to summon.
Bang!
Rainbow light erupted, coalescing into a ring on my right middle finger. An antique black diamond etched with dense magic circles—visible only to enhanced eyes.
SSS / LEGENDARY
• Mana Amplification +50%
• Spell Power +50%
• Mana Cost -50% on spellcast
...What the hell.
The gods were watching, comments flooding in.
Ah, so that's it. God-tier options on an SSS item they called rare. Halving mana costs on any spell—no circle limits. Priceless.
Suddenly grateful to Mahadev. Stocked up on farming bulk, then left the Tower.
"See ya."
"Can't wait! You might ascend to godhood. If so, don't forget me, Raen!"
"No promises, but if I can, I won't."
"Thanks!"
I opened my eyes. Two magic tomes and a martial arts manual lay before me. Grabbed top-grade fist arts too, for good measure.
7th Circle first?
Rip!
Light seeped in, mind awakening. 7th Circle demanded profound insight into mana, elements, nature. As it flooded, the world shifted.
No wonder magic brushed the divine—peeking at creation's secrets, mortal-unfathomable truths. Deeper grasp of natural flows, mana control, spellcasting.
Lifelong magehood wouldn't unlock these sans instant-buy. 7th was wild; what mysteries hid in 8th?
Rip!
Boom!
Light burst from me, soul rocketing skyward. Pierced planets, hit cosmic voids—glimpsed universal laws. Mana birthed with creation; probing it absorbed higher energies, birthing gods.
Key: higher-dimensional energy pursuit. But generation/absorption? Unknown. Still, promising.
'Higher energy is Karma, born of mortal faith. But its essence? Unclear.'
Limit reached. Soul plunged back, 8th Circle unlocked.
"9th? What realm is that?"
Ancient Mage Empire apex—9th Circle. God's Tower sold no full tome; just principles, mana flows. Self-enlightenment required.
Rip!
Knowledge poured in. Top-grade revealed magic and fist arts as near-kin: magic shaped mana externally; fist arts resonated internal mana outward.
One top art could slaughter 100,000. Monstrous evolution. Primordial martial lore made fist intricacies click. Magic too.
Especially with the Ring of Ordos.
Forgot the Tower plot, lost in magic/martial depths. Felt elevated, on cusp of grand revelation soon.