Chapter 171 - 167: Learning Magic and Also Forging Is What It Means to Be Well-Rounded

Chapter 171: Chapter 167: Learning Magic and Also Forging Is What It Means to Be Well-Rounded

Everything Claudio said was true secret lore.

Even with his experience from his past life in the game, where he had traversed nearly the entire Yino Continent, Jon had never heard these stories.

But he believed none of it was false.

Where did the massive city ruins in the Nulaya Basin in central Yino Continent and the high-level Starscar dungeon cluster they represented come from?

In the Tower of Blindness, the final climb of the regional exploration quest west of the Sea of Nova, what was the history behind the Foolish Remains clad in Magic Robes?

Why did Piero, the God of Knowledge, manifest in a chaotic and undefined form?

And then there was the void boundary of the Kamun Wasteland, the sealed final floor of the Order of Mysteries’ Stargazer Tower...

There were far too many unsolved mysteries on the Yino Continent.

Countless lore-hound players had chased these mysteries to the point of madness, yet never found any answers.

But when combined with everything Claudio had said, many of these enigmas could be explained.

The city ruins were actually the remnants of a Floating City, the Foolish Remains were proof of the existence of ancient Mages, and Piero, the God of Knowledge, had once been severely wounded...

Knowledge has its own "gravity."

The more you know, the deeper you fall.

All of this left Jon with a suffocating feeling.

But he took a deep breath, and as his chest rose and fell, the tremor in his eyes was swiftly replaced by something colder and harder.

The word "escape" had never truly been an option for him.

’If a problem arises, I solve it.’

Whether it was for the sake of returning home, or for the people around him who had offered their help, he could not back down.

And so, he met Claudio’s gaze and slowly began to speak.

"Master Claudio, I don’t know if I’m truly the ’Enlightener’ you speak of."

"That title is too heavy, and what it involves is too distant. I can’t yet grasp the weight it carries."

"But one thing I know for sure—"

He straightened his back, his tone resolute.

"If Destiny has truly chosen me, then no matter what lies ahead, I will never back down!"

This was not just a response to Claudio, but also an oath he swore to himself.

’To explore the Mystery of time and space, I’ll inevitably come into contact with the void. I’ll inevitably clash with those unknown entities coveting ’knowledge’ and ’spirit’.’

’Since that’s the case, there’s nothing more to be said.’

’This is an absolute, irreconcilable line that I cannot retreat from. No one can stop me from walking this path!’

Claudio stared intently into Jon’s eyes.

Deep within those young, ice-blue pupils, he saw the calm after a tempestuous storm and a solemn respect for the unknown. But more than that, he saw a determination that had been forged to utter purity—one that would press onward without hesitation.

This wasn’t the fearlessness of ignorance, but the resolve of one who had faced life and death, seen the dangers ahead, and still chosen to press forward into adversity.

This resolve transcended race and age, and it surpassed his understanding of most so-called "geniuses" he had encountered in his long life.

’How could a twenty-year-old human have such eyes?’

’If a person like this can’t be called an ’Enlightener,’ then who else is worthy of the title?’

On the Elf Blacksmith’s handsome face, which always carried a hint of detached scrutiny, a rare trace of emotion appeared, like a crack forming on a frozen lake.

"To face an unforeseeable Destiny, to gaze upon an indescribable fear... Perhaps..."

His deep voice carried a strange cadence, as if he were chanting an ancient proverb.

"This is the resolve that only an ’Enlightener’ can possess."

Then, Claudio’s tone shifted. His gaze swept over the disassembled Engineering components on the floor before finally returning to Jon, his voice regaining its usual calm.

"Barriers of knowledge must be broken with knowledge, and gulfs in Power must be crossed with a more fundamental Power."

"Jon, since you are an ’Enlightener’ with a talent for perceiving the essence of things..."

His slender finger tapped lightly in the air, and a barely perceptible silver ripple spread out, triggering a subtle resonance with the Magic Power in the air.

"Then, are you willing to follow me and truly step into the Domain of ’Magic’?"

"Though you have already taught yourself to control the Power of the elements, Magic is not merely a weapon for combat. It is one of the most direct tools for understanding the Rules of the world."

"Learning to use this tool may provide you with more options for whatever you might face in the future."

Jon’s gaze fell upon the subtle silver ripple at Claudio’s fingertip. He felt the rhythm contained within it—a rhythm completely different from the low-level Magic he currently possessed, like Magic Mastery, Elemental Arrow, and Flame Enchantment—and his heart trembled slightly.

’This is undoubtedly the Spatial Magic I’ve been seeking.’

’So, what is there to hesitate about?’

"I am willing, Master Claudio."

"Thank you for this opportunity. Exploring the essence of Power and understanding the Rules of the world is exactly what I desire."

"Hahaha! Good lad! You’ve got guts!"

Hearing this, Sutton, who was standing to the side, slapped his thick thigh with a meaty hand and let out a booming laugh that made the parts on the table tremble slightly.

"You’re learning Forging from old me, learning Magic from this pointy-ears, and you still have to worry about all your own messy business..."

"Tsk tsk, you’re going to be one busy fella!"

The Old Dwarf’s tone was teasing, yet it held an undercurrent of imperceptible concern.

He genuinely admired Jon’s spirit—his willingness to take on responsibility and forge ahead—but he also knew just how difficult it was to delve into multiple fields at once.

"Hmph! Master Sutton, you’re underestimating Mr. Jon!"

The moment Sutton finished speaking, Xia—who had just recovered from the terrifying tale of the Spiritual Famine—leapt up to object like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on.

Her golden eyes sparkled, filled with an almost blind faith in Jon.

"Mr. Jon is the legendary ’Enlightener,’ you know! Just like Master Claudio said, no knowledge is difficult for him to understand!"

"Learning Magic and Forging will definitely be a breeze for him, as easy as... as easy as drinking water!"

She struggled to find a more impressive metaphor, but when one didn’t come to mind, she just balled her little fists and shook them, as if that would make her point more convincing.

Xina, standing beside her, didn’t chime in, but the look she gave Jon undoubtedly conveyed the same sentiment.

Rosalind stood quietly by Jon’s side, her fingers, intertwined with his, squeezing gently to convey her silent support.

’Whether her master was an Enlightener or not, no matter how difficult the road ahead, she would be his staunchest shield and blade.’

Jon looked at Xia, who was standing up for him, and felt the cool Power from Rosalind’s hand in his. A warmth spread through his heart, but it was quickly followed by a sense of helplessness.

He shook his head with a wry smile, then reached out and ruffled Xia’s soft golden hair, causing the little girl’s cheeks to flush slightly.

"Xia, thank you for believing in me, but the ’Enlightener’ identity can’t be confirmed yet."

"What Master Claudio spoke of is too far removed from us. Right now, I’m just an apprentice at the starting line. Whether it’s Forging or Magic, I have to learn from scratch. How could it possibly be easy?"

He showed no pride at all over his possible "sublime" status.

"That’s right, lass."

Sutton chimed in.

"A hammer doesn’t know an Enlightener from a non-Enlightener! If this kid wants to learn real skills, he’ll have to sweat and suffer for it!"

Claudio also spoke up, his voice even and clear.

"Sutton is right. Practice is the only standard for testing truth. And one of the most prominent and easily verifiable traits of an ’Enlightener’ is their terrifying ability to absorb and comprehend knowledge."

"Jon, whether or not you are ultimately proven to be a true ’Enlightener,’ the act of learning is beneficial in itself."

"And as for the verification process, we might as well begin right now."