章 15: Chapter 15: The Other Side of the World, The Wizard's Domain
In the next moment, Su Nan felt the surrounding scenery distort as if twisted. Before he could react, he realized he had left the castle and was now standing in a desolate wilderness.
The barren land was dotted with gray tombstones, and the sky above was dim and gray, with a solitary full moon hanging ominously. The ground was overgrown with aconite, and at the center of the wilderness stood an ancient altar, emanating a peculiar and familiar aura.
"Where is this place, AI?" Su Nan asked.
[Insufficient data detected. However, based on your heightened mental activity and sensory input, this appears to be more than a mere hallucination. It is likely a parallel dimension or an auxiliary space to your original world.]
[It can be likened to entering a hidden underworld or an alternate side of your world. This area may hold significant importance to wizarding civilizations.]
Su Nan walked along the barren terrain and stood atop the highest point of the wilderness. He gazed into the fog-covered expanse ahead, which obscured the land beyond.
Within the gray mist, he could see the vague outline of the wilderness beneath his feet. On the far western edge of the land, there appeared to be a sprawling castle complex. However, much of it was shrouded in mist, leaving only fragmented glimpses of the dilapidated structures, some of which bore coffin-like designs—strange and foreboding.
Out of the corner of his eye, Su Nan spotted a shadowy figure. Startled, he turned to see a cloaked figure standing in the center of the wilderness, holding a massive scythe. The figure's tattered black robes seemed ancient, as though they had weathered untold years.
Su Nan cautiously approached the center of the wilderness, preparing himself for potential danger. "Who are you? And where is this place?"
The cloaked figure, hearing his voice, seemed surprised. Lifting his head, he looked at Su Nan and said, "It has been a very, very long time since a wizard has been born in this region."
"You are the first second-tier wizard apprentice to emerge in this land in over two millennia. A true miracle. I am Or, the gatekeeper and guide of the Graysoil Graveyard faction in the 'Secret Realm.'"
"I have stood here for what feels like an eternity. I once served as a guide for wizards entering the Secret Realm, but over time, the faction has vanished. The wizards either left, perished, or disappeared without a trace. I now remain as the sole custodian of what was once a flourishing domain."
Or's tone carried a heavy melancholy. "The Graysoil Graveyard wizards built this stronghold in the Secret Realm, but now it is abandoned. The Secret Realm, which mirrors your material world, has long since been forgotten."
"The Secret Realm is a unique spiritual dimension that overlaps with the physical world. In your material world, matter dominates the mind. Here, the mind shapes matter. Wizards once gathered here to exchange knowledge and explore the mysteries of existence."
"But that all ended over two thousand years ago. The wizards left this land—perhaps they migrated elsewhere, taking their knowledge with them."
Or pointed to the mist-shrouded castle ruins. "The Graysoil Graveyard stronghold once stood proudly in the Secret Realm. But now, only ruins remain, half-devoured by the encroaching mists."
Su Nan furrowed his brow. "So, I've entered a realm once accessible only to second-tier wizard apprentices and above? Does this mean wizards have hierarchical ranks?"
Or nodded. "Of course. Wizards are classified into tiers. The journey begins with ordinary individuals who train under wizard factions. Those who reach the first tier, or third-tier wizard apprentices, develop significantly heightened mental capabilities compared to ordinary people. Second-tier wizard apprentices, like yourself, possess sufficient mental strength to enter the Secret Realm."
"The progression continues to first-tier wizard apprentices, capable of confronting their innermost selves. Beyond that are formal wizards, whose abilities rival the divine powers claimed by the church."
"Formal wizards are scholars who wield godlike power. They can manipulate elements, perform miraculous healings, and even resurrect the dead, transforming them into enhanced beings. And above them are second-ring wizards, though no one in the Graysoil Graveyard faction ever reached that level."
Su Nan's breathing quickened, but he quickly regained his composure. The Secret Realm lay before him, its mysteries ripe for exploration. There was no need for haste—this was a trove of unparalleled opportunities.
"So, what are the capabilities of a second-ring wizard?" Su Nan asked.
Or shook his head. "Even in the heyday of the Graysoil Graveyard, no one ever reached that level. But the formal wizards achieved incredible feats—so significant that even the Law God's Shepherds sought their guidance to combat non-living entities."
Su Nan inquired, "Do you know why the wizards of the Graysoil Graveyard left, or where they went?"
Or's voice grew somber. "As a magical construct created to guide and guard this place, I was never privy to their plans. I can only share what they chose to tell me. Over time, much of what I knew has faded. All I can say is that one day, they simply stopped coming."
"But now, you're here. And perhaps, you can rekindle what has been lost."
Su Nan pondered Or's words, instructing the AI to analyze the guardian's data. He then asked, "Why did I appear in the Graysoil Graveyard's Secret Realm area? And what purpose does the Secret Realm serve?"
Or explained, "As I said before, the Secret Realm exists in the interstices of the material world. Think of it as a vast collective unconsciousness shaped by the thoughts and emotions of countless beings over millennia."
"Your presence here is tied to the real-world location of the Graysoil Graveyard. When you reached the threshold of a second-tier wizard apprentice, you were naturally drawn into the Secret Realm at the Graveyard's node."
"Unfortunately, this area has been deserted for so long that most of its resources and infrastructure have vanished into the mists. If you had not come, this place would have been entirely consumed, and I would have ceased to exist."
Or gestured to the barren land and full moon above. "What you see here is your manifestation in the Secret Realm. The wilderness, aconite, and full moon reflect your inner essence."
"Typically, a second-tier wizard apprentice's manifestation is far less expansive. You are unique—a truly exceptional wizard."
Or continued, "In the Secret Realm, wizards can safely experiment with their abilities and explore their psyche. More importantly, like any unclaimed land, the Secret Realm offers opportunities for conquest and exploration. Wizards of the past understood this well, but for reasons unknown, they abandoned their endeavors here."
"In their absence, the mists encroached, and the realm decayed. But perhaps you, as the fir
st wizard in two millennia, can reclaim and rebuild what was lost."
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット