The Wizard in the Game Is Rewarded in Reality

Chapter 24

As I began to seriously learn magic, a question arose.

– Why are we bound by formality?

Magic has a form.

By imbuing runes with will, mana is manifested, and by combining those runes, magic is completed.

The important thing here is that the combination of runes is standardized, like a mathematical formula.

Let’s take the Fire Arrow, the first spell I practiced, as an example.

First, amplify the mana of fire, then compress it. Then add more fire mana, amplify it again, transform it, accelerate it, and finally, make it explode.

To summarize the order:

Fire → Amplify → Compress → Fire → Amplify → Transform → Accelerate → Explode.

This is the formula.

Both the elder who taught me fire magic and the novice mage who just entered the third circle create the Fire Arrow in the same way.

Here, I have a question.

Can’t we change the order?

Is it necessary to repeatedly use the same runes?

Can’t we replace them with runes of similar properties?

As I awaken my will, mana also opens its eyes.

Starting with the mana of water, the runes imbue my will with power. They transform into the shape of a blade and cut through the enemy in front of me.

– 3rd Circle Water-type Attack Magic Aqua Slash.

Compared to the 3rd Circle artifact Aqua Slash I created, its power is relatively stronger.

That is the limitation of artifacts.

No matter how well-crafted an artifact is, it cannot perfectly implement the essence of magic.

Aqua Slash has a rune combination format similar to the Fire Arrow of the same circle.

I focus my consciousness again.

In the space allowed by my consciousness, the mana of water takes shape in the real world. The enlarged water compresses and transforms into the shape of a sword.

Though it is water, it looks like solid metal. Sharpness is imbued in the sword made of water.

The water sword cuts through space at an incredible speed.

And it pierces the chest of the imaginary enemy I drew.

“Hoo-. Is that so?”

The Aqua Slash I just unleashed is similar to the first one, but it’s a different spell.

I reduced the use of the amplification rune once and used a rune that grants metallic properties. Then, I reduced the use of water mana once and used a rune that adds sharpness one more time.

As a result, an Aqua Slash with incomparable strength to the previous one was completed.

Here arises another question.

“Why?”

Why don’t other wizards use this method?

Magic that has been passed down since ancient times.

Countless wizards must have existed, and among them, there must have been legendary wizards who overcame human limitations.

Was there not a single wizard among them who had the same question as I did?

Unable to find an answer on my own, I leave the training room and head to my master’s office.

“Is today’s training already over?”

It seems he finds it strange that I, who rarely comes out once I shut myself in the training room, came out early.

“I have something I’m curious about.”

“What are you curious about?”

I shared the questions I had while training.

“Hmm-.”

My master looked at me with a faint groan.

“It is a question that any wizard should naturally have.”

It seems I am not the only one with such questions.

“Magic is not a supernatural power but a discipline. One must constantly explore and approach the truth. There is no set way to approach the truth. However, there are paths found by predecessors who walked the path of mana before us. The paths found by predecessors. Those paths were found by their predecessors. Wizards must study and develop the magic that has been passed down. But-.”

My master trailed off.

“Magic has been stagnant for some time. Despite the need for constant research, they only want to follow the comfortable paths paved by their predecessors. A few awakened wizards are still exploring the truth, but their numbers are not many.”

“What about you, Master? Which side do you belong to?”

“Me?”

My master gave a peculiar smile.

“I am in the middle.”

“Pardon?”

“Literally, I am in the middle. I am the tower master of the magic kingdom Kraksha. I stand at the pinnacle of all wizards on the Azelium continent. Therefore, I must be better than anyone. That is the way to protect the honor of the tower and the way to protect the magic kingdom Kraksha.”

I think I can understand.

Exploring the truth is a battle against time.

It’s like how your grades depend on how long you can keep your butt in the chair.

As a wizard, the master would also have a desire to explore the truth. But as the tower lord, he must have reached a level that no one could surpass.

“After reaching that level, I have devoted a lot of time to researching magic. It’s very late, but isn’t the best time to start when you think it’s too late?”

“Absolutely right.”

“What I just mentioned is the fundamental reason.”

“What is the other reason?”

“Because it is close to the correct answer.”

When I made a puzzled expression, the master smiled and explained.

“Do you think other wizards wouldn’t have had the same doubts as you? They must have tried various methods. But they couldn’t find a better way. It means that these are theoretically possible but practically impossible magics.”

“Is that so?”

I recall the magic I performed before coming here.

“Did you try something?”

As if reading my mind, the master asked.

When I told him about what happened in the training room, the master nodded.

“For some, it is as natural and obvious as breathing, but for others, no matter how hard they try, they can’t reach it.”

“That is…”

“Don’t you understand? Do you think no one has tried like you? Many have tried. But they all failed. Why did they fail? Water and metal have opposing properties. Do you know what happens when opposing runes meet?”

Clap!

The master clapped his hands loudly.

“Bang! It causes a disaster.”

The master asked.

“Do you know what has taken the most lives of wizards since the gods allowed runes and magic? War? Monsters? No.”

The master tapped his forehead with his index finger.

“Curiosity and the spirit of challenge.”

“Ah!”

“It is possible because it is you.”

“What? Because it’s me?”

“According to ancient records, wizards with the vessel of origin could freely handle runes. So wizards often tell their disciples this.”

– A wizard is someone who makes their imagination a reality.

This is what Elder Lee told me.

“It’s because of the desire to become like the wizards of the origin. They regret the magic they theorized in their minds but couldn’t realize in reality… They say such things in the hope that their disciples will become better beings than themselves.”

My master takes my hand.

“My disciple, Woon-ah.”

“Yes, Master.”

“You are a wizard of the origin. A true wizard who seeks answers to the questions you feel and can realize them in reality. Not a half-wizard like me or other wizards, but a complete wizard.”

Something hot seems to be transmitted from my master’s hand.

“It is because it is you. My expectations for you are high. The future of the Magic Tower depends on you. This is not just a flattering remark. You have a great possibility of reaching the top of the Infinite Tower and obtaining the three things forbidden to humans.”

The Infinite Book.

The Fountain of Knowledge.

The Light of Immortality.

“You are the only one who can recreate the glorious era when we received the full love of the gods.”

After a brief pause, my master speaks in a serious tone, as if making a decision.

“Outsiders call us NPCs, don’t they?”

“…”

I was momentarily at a loss for words.

I did not expect the word NPC to come out of my master’s mouth.

“Puppets living in a virtual world created by the humans of your world. Puppets without souls who can only say predetermined words and perform predetermined actions. My disciple, Woon-ah.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Do you think so too?”

“I…”

I consider the world of Doomsday to be another reality.

But thinking that and acknowledging that this place is not a game world but a real world are separate issues.

Why?

Even now, players enjoying Doomsday receive quests, learn skills, and perform quests through the natives of this place.

A game created by the humans of Earth.

This is the world where the game’s system is applied.

“Are you confused?”

“Actually, yes.”

“You don’t have to force yourself to understand. In time, you will eventually know the truth.”

The master gives a faint, knowing smile.

“Even if other outsiders don’t understand, you will. Yes, you will eventually understand.”

*

I shake my head vigorously as I step out of the capsule.

I went to the master to satisfy my curiosity, but I only ended up more confused and logged out.

I go up to the first floor and head to Seolgi’s room.

The small room on the first floor is Seolgi’s room.

Since it’s late, I carefully open the door. Seolgi is lying quietly in the new house I bought for her, sleeping peacefully.

I close the door and leave.

I take a can of beer from the fridge and go out to the garden.

“It’s bright.”

A full moon is hanging in the middle of the black sky.

I sit at the tea table next to the waterfall and drink my beer.

“It’s difficult.”

Even if other users enjoying Doomsday don’t understand, I have to acknowledge what the master said.

The world I live in, and the world of Doomsday.

No, the continent of Azelium.

There is definitely something that connects these two worlds.

That’s why I awakened in the continent of Azelium and also awakened in reality, and the status window from there is reflected in reality.

I gulp down the beer.

My throat stings.

“There’s no need to overthink it. I just have to accept it.”

It’s something I’ve already experienced.

It means it’s reality. Questioning ‘how’ or ‘why’ about something that has already happened is just a waste of energy.

I just have to acknowledge and accept it.

Isn’t it beneficial for me anyway?

Haven’t I come to own this garden where I’m resting now, and this spacious house?

“Being serious is unlike me-. Good things are good, right?”

I get up from my seat.

“Let’s just sleep.”

*

Exit 3, Gangnam Station.

Even on a weekday, the street is crowded with people.

The sun is setting slowly.

I take out my phone to check the time.

– 18:57

I look around.

Waiting for someone who will arrive soon.

– I will come to pick you up at 7 PM.

As the clock on my phone strikes 7, a black sedan stops in front of me. A man in a black suit gets out from the passenger seat and opens the door.

“Please, get in.”

I get into the back seat, and the car starts moving.

The phone in my pocket vibrates violently. When I press the call button, a bright voice comes through.

– Thank you for accepting the invitation.