The cave was cold.
Not the ordinary chill of damp stone, but a quiet stillness that seemed untouched by time itself.
Mario stood at the entrance for several seconds, allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness.
“…Light.”
The simple spell he had learned from the beginner pages of the Sage’s magic notes wasn’t available yet.
He chuckled.
“Right.”
“I haven’t learned it.”
Instead, he retrieved a rechargeable flashlight from his Item Box.
It was one of the many everyday items he had brought from Earth before beginning his hunting routine.
A beam of white light cut through the darkness.
The tunnel stretched deeper than he expected.
Ancient tool marks lined the walls.
Whoever had carved this passage had done so deliberately.
“This isn’t natural…”
Mario murmured as he stepped forward.
His footsteps echoed softly throughout the cave.
No monsters.
No insects.
No sound.
It felt…
Sacred.
Several minutes later…
The tunnel widened into a massive underground chamber.
The flashlight slowly swept across the room.
Shelves.
Stone tables.
Broken bottles.
Ancient alchemy equipment.
Dust covered everything.
Despite the passage of countless years, the room remained remarkably intact.
Near the center…
A lone figure sat quietly against a stone chair.
His body had long since become little more than bones wrapped in faded robes.
Yet somehow…
The remains still carried an indescribable dignity.
Mario immediately understood.
“The Legendary Sage…”
He switched off the flashlight.
The chamber fell silent once more.
Mario walked forward.
Then bowed deeply.
“Thank you.”
“I know we never met.”
“But your legacy saved my life.”
He remained like that for several moments before straightening again.
Only then did he approach.
Resting beside the skeleton was an old leather-bound journal.
It hadn’t decayed.
The cover radiated faint magical energy.
Mario carefully picked it up.
The instant his fingers touched it—
A brilliant blue light erupted from the book.
The entire chamber trembled.
A warm current surged through his body.
It felt as though countless invisible streams suddenly awakened beneath his skin.
The sensation wasn’t painful.
Quite the opposite.
It felt…
Natural.
As if something that had always belonged to him had finally been restored.
Skill Acquired
Mana Circuit
Your body has awakened the pathways required to circulate, store, and naturally recover mana.
You have become capable of learning and casting magic.
Mario slowly opened and closed his hand.
Mana.
He could feel it now.
It flowed through his body like warm water.
Every breath naturally pulled faint traces of magical energy from the surrounding atmosphere.
“So this…”
“…is mana.”
The Ring of Mana Recovery on his finger immediately reacted.
The mana flowing through his body began replenishing even faster.
A smile appeared on Mario’s face.
“Perfect timing.”
He turned his attention back to the journal.
The first page contained only a single sentence.
If you are reading this…
then perhaps destiny has brought another visitor to my home.
Mario couldn’t help laughing quietly.
“…Not exactly.”
“More like I cheated.”
He continued reading.
The journal wasn’t a story.
It was decades of research.
Experiments.
Observations.
Spell formulas.
Magical theories.
Practical advice.
Everything written in remarkably clear language.
Fortunately…
His Language Comprehension skill translated every word effortlessly.
Hours passed without him noticing.
By the time he finally closed the journal…
Several beginner spells had already become clear in his mind.
He stepped into an empty area of the chamber.
Raised his hand.
Focused.
“…Light.”
A tiny sphere of white light appeared above his palm.
It flickered uncertainly.
Then stabilized.
The chamber brightened.
Mario smiled.
“My first spell.”
Simple.
But real.
He dismissed it before trying again.
“…Water.”
A small stream of crystal-clear water gathered above his hand before splashing harmlessly onto the stone floor.
Next…
“…Clean.”
Dust vanished from a nearby table as if erased.
Mario blinked.
“…That’s going to save me a lot of time.”
He couldn’t help appreciating practical magic.
Cleaning.
Lighting.
Water.
These weren’t spectacular.
And usefulness had always mattered more to him than flashy displays.
Fire Magic.
Wind Magic.
Earth Magic.
Body Reinforcement.
Barrier Magic.
Healing Magic.
Teleportation Theory.
Even dimensional research.
Mario closed the book.
Not because he wasn’t interested.
Because he knew his limits.
Trying to master everything at once would accomplish nothing.
Foundations first.
Always.
He carefully placed the Sage’s Journal inside the Item Box.
There would be plenty of time to study.
Before leaving, Mario looked once more at the Sage’s remains.
“You protected this place until the end.”
“I’ll take good care of it.”
The words came naturally.
No oath.
No dramatic promise.
Just quiet respect.
As he turned to leave…
Something caught his eye.
Resting against the far wall…
Covered beneath years of dust…
Was an old wooden walking staff.
Mario approached.
The staff appeared incredibly ordinary.
Smooth wood.
Simple craftsmanship.
No decorations whatsoever.
Still…
His instincts told him to appraise it.
Staff of the Sage
A magical staff personally crafted by the Legendary Sage.
Significantly amplifies spell efficiency while reducing mana consumption.
Compatible only with those recognized by the Estate.
Mario raised an eyebrow.
“…I’ll be taking that.”
He stored it inside the Item Box.
Unlike the legendary weapons he had inherited with the Estate…
This felt personal.
A tool worn smooth through years of research.
He intended to use it well.
With everything secured, Mario began making his way back toward the cave entrance.
The fresh air outside was already visible.
Sunlight filtered through the vines covering the opening.
He stepped outside.
The forest remained unusually quiet.
Too quiet.
A breeze stirred the leaves.
Then…
A pair of brilliant violet eyes slowly opened beneath the shade of a nearby ancient tree.
They weren’t hostile.
They were watching him.
Patiently.
Curiously.
Mario stopped walking.
“…Looks like I’m not alone.”
End of Chapter 17