The Tome of the Sage.
It was a Mythic-grade item, the highest grade currently known to exist.
It was also one of the Three Sacred Treasures that represented Aleon, the strongest and most fearsome Great Sage.
Unlike the <Staff of the Sage>, which specialized in offensive power, and the <Robe of the Sage>, which specialized in defense, the <Tome of the Sage> was a sacred artifact focused on utility.
[Tome of the Sage]
Grade: Mythic (1-Star ★)
Growth-Type
Vitality +5
Magic Power +5
Mental Power +5
Casting Speed +10%
Movement Speed +10%
Mana Recovery +50%
Status Effect Resistance +50%
Immunity to Appraisal Skills
Exclusive to Kim Hajun (Bound)
‘Magnificent.’
A smile naturally spread across my face as I examined the abilities of the <Tome of the Sage>.
First, it increased my Stats by a total of fifteen points.
That was equivalent to gaining three levels.
Fundamentally, one’s level served as a measure of strength within the <Sky Tower>.
That was why Ascenders were desperate to obtain items that granted even a single additional Stat point.
However, items with bonus Stats were exceedingly rare. Even then, an item usually had to be at least Heroic, or more often Legendary, to provide between one and three bonus points.
For that reason, receiving fifteen bonus Stat points—the equivalent of three whole levels—was extraordinary.
The fifteen-point Stat increase alone was enough for the item to live up to its Mythic grade.
‘And it is even a Growth-Type item.’
Items possessed grades, as well as more detailed star ratings (★).
In most cases, an item’s star rating could not be changed.
However, Growth-Type items occasionally appeared.
The <Tome of the Sage> I had obtained was precisely such an item.
What made a Growth-Type item different?
What else could it be? Every time its growth conditions were fulfilled, its star rating increased.
‘Growth-Type items are generally known to be capable of reaching nine stars (★★★★★★★★★).’
What did that mean?
It meant that the <Tome of the Sage> could eventually become a [Mythic] (9-Star) piece of equipment!
‘This is incredible.’
A nine-star item would have been astonishing even at the Common grade, yet this was a Mythic-grade item.
The mere thought sent an exhilarating tremor through my body.
The two Mythic-grade items owned by other members of the Great Seven Ascenders were not Growth-Type items.
Their respective star ratings were three and five.
Even so, they displayed such absolute divine might that they were praised as ultimate equipment.
But that was merely the judgment of ordinary people from an era when my <Tome of the Sage> did not exist.
‘My equipment is the greatest now!!’
Besides, would the <Tome of the Sage> be my only piece of equipment?
If I gathered all three of the Sacred Treasures, I would possess three pieces of <Mythic>-grade equipment.
They would probably all be Growth-Type items as well!
Yeonhee! I told you that you would regret dumping me!
“Hehehe.”
A laugh escaped my lips as I failed to contain my delight.
In any case, I could not even begin to imagine what abilities the <Tome of the Sage> would possess once it eventually reached nine stars.
‘Its utility options are incredible, not just its Stats.’
Unlike fixed numerical bonuses, several of its effects were percentage-based.
Among them, the +50% Mana Recovery was like rain after a drought for someone with a pitiful mana capacity like mine.
There was one more particularly important point.
‘It is a bound item.’
Exclusive equipment appeared only rarely.
Since the <Tome of the Sage> was a sacred artifact derived from the <Sage> Trait, it was naturally bound to me.
Thanks to that, I could bring the <Tome of the Sage> into the tutorial conducted by the God Tree.
As far as I knew, equipment that was not bound to its owner could not be used during the tutorial.
‘Of course I feel confident.’
At least in terms of Stats, no one should have ever entered the tutorial in better condition than I was now.
For someone to equal me, all five of their initial Level 1 Stats would have needed to be 10.
That was an impossible set of numbers.
Even the Great Seven Ascenders had fallen far short of starting with all their Stats at 10.
Therefore, as long as the first skill I received from the God Tree was good enough, perhaps I could sweep through the tutorial with ease using Sage’s Aura, which currently increased my power by 10(+0.5) times, for a total multiplier of 10.5.
‘So, just one more time!’
Please give me a good skill.
Great God Tree.
I offer you my prayer!!
“Phew.”
I steadied my breathing and began walking toward the God Tree.
MURMUR, MURMUR.
The closer I came to the God Tree, the larger the crowd became.
There were so many people.
Most of them were newly awakened Level 1 Ascenders.
HUM!
When I approached the shade cast by the God Tree’s abundant leaves, I saw a translucent plaque floating around the middle of the tree.
<Hall of Fame>
The plaque recorded the all-time rankings of those who had undergone the God Tree’s tutorial.
1. James Smith
2. Ivan Petrov
3. Haruto Tanaka
4. Arjun Patel
5. …….
6. …….
The names of those ranked from first to tenth were displayed.
Rankings below tenth place could only be viewed by touching the God Tree.
‘It is just as the rumors said.’
From first place to tenth.
Every name was familiar.
Naturally, all seven members of the Great Seven Ascenders occupied positions within the top ten.
And I was expected to surpass the records of such legendary figures and take first place.
‘Would placing in the top ten not be enough?’
I glanced down at the ring as I asked.
Of course not. Take first place. That will allow you to gather the Three Sacred Treasures more quickly.
‘Phew.’
I released a long breath and steadied myself.
Yes.
Another piece of <Mythic>-grade equipment was at stake.
I had to give it everything I had.
I took another step toward the God Tree, resolving myself to begin the tutorial.
At that moment—
THUD!
A considerable impact struck my right shoulder.
“Ugh.”
I staggered and turned my head, only to find a familiar face.
‘This man is…….’
It was the broad, heavyset man I had encountered on the lobby floor a short while ago.
Why was he here?
He did not appear to have awakened recently.
Judging by the equipment he wore and the presence he exuded, he seemed like a high-ranking Ascender who had climbed to at least the fourth or fifth floor.
‘Is he a scout?’
I knew that clan scouts actively recruited not only on the lobby floor but also among those who had completed the God Tree’s tutorial.
However, on closer inspection, he did not seem to be a scout.
Scouts usually wore their clan uniforms.
In any case, I had also been distracted, so I should apologize to him first.
“I’m sorr—”
The moment I began to speak—
“Hmm.”
A faint red light flashed through the heavyset man’s eyes as he looked back at me.
A chill ran down my spine.
For some inexplicable reason, I felt an ominous sense of unease.
At the same time, a golden aura visible only to me manifested from the <Tome of the Sage> on the ring finger of my left hand.
[An ability has been nullified.]
I flinched.
What was that?
An ability had been nullified?
Although I was startled internally, I tried my best not to show it.
“Tsk.”
The heavyset man walked past me with an expression suggesting that he had wasted his time.
What had just happened?
As I stood there blankly, unable to organize my thoughts, Aleon spoke.
* That man just attempted to steal a glimpse of your information.
‘He tried to look at my information?’
Correct. He possesses an appraisal-type ability.
An appraisal-type ability.
Depending on its grade, such an ability could determine whether the target was Awakened, what kind of power they possessed, and even what Trait they had.
It was one of the abilities highly valued among scouts.
Had the ‘Immunity to Appraisal Skills’ effect of the <Tome of the Sage> not activated, that heavyset bastard might have discovered my ten-star Trait.
Fortunately, he appeared to have left without realizing that his ability had been nullified, but I could not help feeling unsettled.
There is something distinctly suspicious about that man.
‘I agree.’
There was no doubt that he had used an appraisal-type ability on me for a specific purpose.
I had thought something seemed suspicious about him from the moment I encountered him on the lobby floor.
‘Still, thanks to the <Tome of the Sage>… Wait.’
I was about to praise the <Tome of the Sage> for blocking the heavyset man’s appraisal when I suddenly paused.
‘Would he not find it even more suspicious if his appraisal was blocked?’
There is no need to worry. I intervened and added the <Formula of Concealment>. In his eyes, you would have appeared to be an insignificant Ascender who awakened a mere one-star Trait.
Oh.
As expected.
Although Aleon looked like a child, his extensive experience gave him an incredible sense of judgment.
I could not help giving him a thumbs-up.
I raised my right thumb toward Aleon.
Hmph.
I heard Aleon release an arrogant chuckle.
He truly was adorable.
“Still, why did you make it one-star? You could at least have made it look like three-star.”
That explained why the heavyset man had looked at me as though I were a waste of time.
He must have seen my Status Window and dismissed me as some worthless Ascender with a one-star Trait.
What a humiliating blow to my dignity.
I would advise you to prepare for the tutorial instead.
‘Yes, of course.’
I made an embarrassed expression at Aleon’s words and headed toward the God Tree.
HUMMMMM!
One of the countless leaves on the God Tree began resonating with me.
[Would you like to undergo the Sacred Ritual?]
A clear voice echoed inside my head.
The moment I expressed my intention to proceed—
FLASH!
A brilliant light engulfed my vision.
[The Sacred Ritual is now in progress.]
A voice rang through the darkness.
SHINE!
At the same time, countless points of starlight appeared before my eyes.
“Wow.”
An exclamation escaped my lips.
Why?
Because I felt as though I were floating in the middle of the universe.
WHOOSH!
SWISH.
Tiny points of starlight flew before me in every direction, tracing irregular paths.
I instinctively realized what they were.
‘Skills!’
Every single point of starlight was a skill.
[Choose the starlight that resonates with your heart.]
That was right.
I had to select exactly one of them.
Depending on my choice, I might receive a ‘Common’-grade skill.
Or I could obtain a higher-grade skill, such as a Heroic or Legendary one.
‘Phew. I am nervous.’
I narrowed my eyes and stared intently at the starlight flying around me.
There was no possibility that doing so would reveal which skills they contained, but it demonstrated how intensely I was concentrating on this moment.
‘Mythic is obviously impossible, and I am not even asking for Legendary. Heroic. Yes, just give me a Heroic-grade skill!’
Not a single person had ever been confirmed to have obtained a <Mythic>-grade initial skill from the God Tree’s tutorial.
There were only countless rumors.
Fewer than ten people had even obtained a <Legendary>-grade skill, which was one grade below Mythic.
Billions of people had attempted the ritual, yet the odds remained that low.
Then what about <Heroic>?
‘The probability is still absurdly low.’
It was approximately one in hundreds of millions.
However—
I was also a one-in-ten-billion man.
I was already suffering beneath the absurd punishment known as mana rejection syndrome. Surely receiving a single <Heroic>-grade skill would not be asking too much?
If the universe possessed even the slightest sense of fairness, I trusted it to grant me a <Heroic>-grade skill!
There was only one reason I was so obsessed with obtaining a <Heroic>-grade skill.
I believed that I would need an initial skill of at least Heroic grade to clear the tutorial at the highest rank.
Use Sage’s Sight.
At that moment, Aleon suddenly spoke.
‘What?’
He wanted me to use Sage’s Sight?
‘Why?’
It was a natural question.
The description of Sage’s Sight was as follows.
『Sage’s Sight (10-Star): Special Skill. Sees through the truth.』
A brief explanation stating that it saw through the truth.
When I made an expression showing that I did not understand, Aleon gave a quiet laugh and continued.
Use it first. Then you will understand what I mean.
Understood, Teacher.
I should do as I was told.
Aleon’s advice was essential if I wanted to receive the highest possible grade in the tutorial.
He must have had a reason for telling me to use it.
‘Do I activate it like this?’
The moment I thought of <Sage’s Sight>, the method of using it naturally surfaced in my mind.
RUSTLE.
A refreshing sensation spread through both of my eyes.
Was this what it felt like when Magic Power gathered?
I only had a moment to marvel at the strange sensation.
‘Gasp.’
My legs nearly gave out beneath me.
Good grief. Your mana was depleted from using it only once. Your mana circuits truly are in a dreadful state. Though I suppose that is precisely why you were able to inherit my legacy…….
Aleon’s words made me realize that I was suffering from mana depletion.
Although Sage’s Sight was a ten-star skill, I could not believe that a single use had completely exhausted my mana.
Had the <Tome of the Sage> not increased my Magic Power by five points, I might not have been able to activate it at all.
It was another moment that made me realize there was no hope for my mana circuits unless I restored them with the Philosopher’s Stone.
‘However…….’
I calmed my churning stomach and looked at the starlight flying before me.
Although I was suffering from a lack of mana, an entirely different sight now unfolded before my eyes after activating <Sage’s Sight>.
‘The colors of the starlight changed?’
Previously, they had all appeared as simple clusters of white light.
Now, however, they shone in various colors.
White.
Sky blue.
Green.
Purple.
Gold.
Emerald.
There were six colors in total.
What was this?
Why had they suddenly changed colors?
As I blinked and stared blankly at the starlight flying before me, Aleon’s voice rang out.
The emerald one! You must seize it!!
‘……!’
I hurriedly tracked the cluster of emerald light with my eyes.
Most of the countless points of starlight were white.
Sky blue was the next most common, and the numbers continued decreasing from there.
There were three golden lights.
Only one emerald light existed.
Now!
When the cluster of emerald light flew before me, Aleon shouted.
I immediately reached toward it.
SHIIIIIIIIING!!!
The moment my outstretched hand touched the cluster of light, my vision became flooded with brilliant emerald radiance.