[12 Recipes from Hell!]
"…I feel like this book isn't very convincing."
I opened the book and began reading the first page.
[In short, this book explains how to turn materials into something consumable.]
Is this for real?
I never even dreamed of such a thing, not even in my wildest imagination.
The term "materials" here refers to the substances that make up an object.
Meanwhile, the "12 Recipes from Hell" outlines methods to transform those materials into dishes composed of twelve unique recipes.
In simpler terms, it's like this: you can turn air into nutrients digestible by the body.
Easier to understand if you imagine photosynthesis.
Yes, just like that.
"In the language of cultivators, this is like spiritual energy nourishing the body to prevent malnutrition..."
[In the past, I was trapped in a cave for a very, very long time. There was no food to consume, only a small trickle of water flowing through the cave. Moss grew near the water source, and I survived on those two things. Even the air was thin at such depths. At that time, the cave extended over hundreds of meters underground. One day, the walls above the cave collapsed, allowing sunlight to shine in. But what good did it do? The sunlight was hundreds of meters away, and I was just a weak human who couldn't climb at all. Over time, as I bathed in that tiny ray of light, I found that I could consume it...]
"Crazy..."
Once again, I was reminded of humanity's extraordinary ability to adapt to harsh environments.
If I had to say it, the author of this book had unlocked a path toward human evolution.
After reading several books about the races of the world of Arma, I learned that races capable of photosynthesis, like the Elves, are incredibly rare.
Even Elves cannot fully rely on their photosynthetic abilities; they still require external nutrients to sustain themselves.
"So, does this extend their lifespan?"
There's no information about that.
But this could very well be humanity's first step toward evolution.
"Maybe they'd be called Nature Humans?"
A race capable of manipulating plant elements through their bond with nature—or perhaps even controlling elements like air and water.
Imagine wielding the power to manipulate natural disasters and create chaos at will.
Wouldn't that make one akin to a god?
A shiver ran down my spine.
"Wait a minute... This..."
Doesn't this power align perfectly with the Symphony of Elemental Harmony Trait!?
"Hehehe, looks like I've found a way to grow stronger."
But… where should I even begin?
"..."
Should I try transforming my body into an elemental form?
No, no. I don't even know what the consequences of that might be.
"It's better to research this slowly. No need to rush."
This seems like it will be a long journey.
Back to the topic.
The Hell Recipes.
"...Was the author some kind of gourmet?"
Because they could digest anything, they began traveling the world, tasting whatever they could.
[First Recipe: Spicy Emerald Photon Bread.
Ingredients:
1. Bread = Golden wheat processed in the starting city, compressed with gem water from the World Tree and soil blessed by a deity.
2. Chili = Condensed wrath of the Dragon King, mixed with a bit of human hatred and Dwarven greed. (Warning: extremely spicy).
3. Emerald = A giant mana stone with a minimum concentration of 978mp. Compress and use as the filling. Adds a flavorful taste with an amazing aftertaste.
4. Photon + mass = incredible flavor.]
"???"
What is this?
So they really traveled the world to experience all this?
"Fuck… Photon + mass???"
Doesn't a photon have no mass? And now, someone actually managed to add mass to it?
"If I remember correctly, there were some articles and studies suggesting that photons might have mass. A new world, different physics, huh?"
The people in this world are utterly insane.
I flipped to another page and found even more madness.
"…Is this world a higher-tier one?"
[Child of Fortune: Yes. At least higher than Earth.]
The technological difference is enormous, but the more significant gap lies in their advanced magic and martial arts compared to Earth.
Magical technology, which blends science with magic, has also reached a high level of sophistication.
This is evident from the presence of airships and war machines far more advanced than anything on Earth.
I have high hopes for this place.
Especially for Aurionis Academy, located at the center of the Western Continent.
All kinds of knowledge and advancements converge there—it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it the heart of the continent.
According to history, the academy has stood for thousands of years, outlasting almost every Kingdom and Empire on the continent.
It seems the saying "The strongest survives to the end" fits perfectly to describe it.
Let's set this aside for now.
What's left is the beginner's magic instruction.
I have a good feeling about this.
I deliberately avoided picking up advanced-level magic books.
The process of casting magic is divided into three main components: imagination, casting, and in/out.
Imagination is absolutely essential, no matter how small the spell you're casting.
Meanwhile, casting involves the fixed rules that must be followed in every incantation.
Since ancient times, countless magicians have worked to simplify casting to make it more user-friendly.
In the past, even a low-level spell required special rituals, so modern magic is the accumulated wisdom of magicians from generations past.
No one knows why the use of runes is mandatory.
There are various theories and hypotheses about it.
Some say it's a law of the world, that magic manipulates reality, bends divine restrictions, and so on.
Nothing is definitive in this matter.
So, how can I break these absolute rules?
The answer is simple: most likely because I don't originate from this world. Thus, I am not bound by some of its rules.
Elaria and the others must have anticipated this, which is why they didn't ask too many questions.
Lastly, input and output.
In the past, people cast spells in the order of imagination, in/out, and then casting.
This sequence carried significant risks.
Imagine calculating formulas and so forth, then channeling magical energy into runes and performing the casting. If there's an error during casting, you'd suffer a magical backlash.
Instead of attacking your target, the magic you created would strike you instead.
Additionally, if the spell is disrupted by an enemy, there's a risk of it exploding.
As a result, modern magicians now channel magical energy only after the casting is complete.
"With this, wouldn't I become the strongest magician in the world?"
I opened my palm and visualized blazing blue flames.
The flow of mana within my body quickly channeled itself through the magical circuits to my hand.
A tingling sensation tickled my wrist.
It seems there's still a flaw in my method.
Concentrating magical energy at a single point isn't as efficient as qi circulation.
Let's try connecting them.
Arov closed his eyes, focusing deeply on his body.
Every human possesses an energy core that stores their mana.
This is referred to as the mana core.
The existence of a mana core is conceptual, meaning it cannot be seen or observed, but it can be felt.
Unlike a dantian, while also conceptual, a dantian can be influenced and observed by third parties.
Now, a simple question:
Where is the mana in my body stored?
The answer lies in the mana core.
However, my condition is truly unique—I have an enormous amount of mana, but it's inefficiently utilized.
This became apparent as I tried circulating mana throughout my body.
It's like being a brute trying to break down an unlocked door, when I could've simply turned the doorknob.
Deep within Arov's body, a perfectly round sphere glowed faintly with blue light.
I see it!
Around the orb, the mana I possess swirled aimlessly.
Now, I'll begin consolidating it.
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1388 word.
Hi guys, this is DE. For the next week or so from now I'll probably do mass releases per week, the schedule this time is 7 chapters per week or one chapter per day. But I'm going to do 10 chapters next week. 2 weeks from now, if we hit the 50 power stone, then I'll update 12 chapters per week before returning to the regular schedule. So, what again? Give me your vote and review 😈 (3/10)