As kaito made his way through the cave emerald light shimmered faintly within the cave. The air was thick and damp, and every step echoed off the cold stone walls. He moved cautiously, wary of traps hidden in the darkness.
The eerie silence made him felt like his life depended on each step he takes, but he pressed on, driven by a mix of curiosity and desperation.
After a long time had passed, he reached a poorly built wooden door. It looked out of place, as if it had been constructed hastily. Kaito pushed it open, revealing a small room cluttered with bookshelves. The air smelled of decay, and in the center of the room lay the skeleton of a man. Ragged clothes clung to his brittle frame, and in his bony grasp was a book.
Curiosity overtook Kaito as he gently pried the book free. To his astonishment, the text was written in Japanese. The familiar language felt like a lifeline in this alien world. He flipped through the pages, quickly realizing that parts of it were written in Chinese and Russian—languages he knew only partially. Still, the message was clear enough.
The book told the tale of a man from Kaito's world, another soul who had been brought to this world to be their hero. The man had been chosen by Heaven to defeat the demon lord, only to discover that his mission was nothing more than entertainment for the gods. After serving his purpose, he was then discarded and left to die in this cave.
The man's notes contained revelations:
1. Heaven manipulates humans for their amusement.
Kaito paused, his fingers tightening around the book. He wasn't surprised. Back in his first life, he had always suspected the cruelty of higher powers. This confirmation only solidified his theory.
2. The universe is divided into two types of worlds: magic worlds and intellect worlds.
The man explained that those from intellectual worlds, like Earth, possessed creativity and scientific understanding that could make them godlike in magic worlds.
3. Forces beyond Heaven exist.
The man hinted at a map hidden in his satchel that could lead to truths greater than Heaven itself. "It may cost you your life," the notes warned, but Kaito only smirked. I like where this is going, he thought.
4. The nature of magic.
The man described mana as the lifeblood of magic, a force permeating the air. Humans born in magical worlds could manipulate it through chanting, but those from intellectual worlds could wield it with their imagination. This creativity made them far more powerful than those who are of magic worlds.
Kaito's pulse quickened. He remembered his training—the particles he had absorbed during those grueling sessions must have been mana. He raised his hand, focusing his thoughts. A tiny flame...
To his amazement, a small fireball flickered into existence above his palm. Startled, he stumbled back, but his shock quickly turned to excitement. He concentrated again, willing the flame to grow. It swelled in size, dancing like a living thing.
His mind raced. If my imagination shapes mana, the possibilities are endless.
Driven by this realization, Kaito devoured the books in the room. They contained knowledge about refining magic, training the body, and the history of the world. Days passed even though he wasn't able to tell but he knew it. Then after reading everything, he noticed flaws in the techniques. They were functional but stifled true potential. The skeleton's failure to escape the cave likely stemmed from these limitations.
Experimenting, Kaito discovered the key: just as he could create magic, he could also cancel it. With this newfound understanding, he felt a surge of confidence.
---
Now armed with knowledge, Kaito decided to venture deeper into the cave. Eventually, he came across an enormous steel door, its surface shimmering with an otherworldly gleam. The material was unfamiliar, but the weight of its presence spoke volumes.
The door opened with a low groan, revealing a labyrinth within. The air here was colder, heavier. Shadows danced across the walls, and the faint hum of energy filled the space.
Fortunately, the small room had been stocked with weapons, potions, and supplies. Kaito grabbed what he needed, his resolve solidifying. Whatever lies ahead, I'll be ready.
He stepped into the labyrinth, the door closing behind him with a finality that sent chills down his spine.
As Kaito ventured deeper into the labyrinth, a thought struck him: If I can control mana, why not use it as my eyes?
The idea seemed absurd at first, but his curiosity urged him to try. Focusing intently, he visualized the mana particles around him forming a network of sight. The effort was grueling, his head throbbing with each attempt. After several failed tries, a sharp ache pierced his temples, forcing him to sit down and rest.
Panting, he reached out instinctively, conjuring water from thin air. The clear liquid pooled in his hands, and he drank deeply, relieved to find it clean and refreshing. As he caught his breath, his mind raced with possibilities. If I can manipulate mana like this, then what about healing? Shadow manipulation? Flight? His thoughts spiraled with endless ideas, each more ambitious than the last.
After a while, he stood, determination etched on his face. I just need to focus more. Closing his eyes, he envisioned the mana particles around him as an extension of himself. He imagined them flowing freely, acting as his eyes. Slowly, faint shapes began to form in his mind—a blurred, translucent view of his surroundings.
With practice, the images became clearer. He could now see through the mana, using it to map out the labyrinth ahead. Shadows of monsters loomed in the distance, their forms strange and menacing. Occasionally, faint glimmers of treasure caught his attention, but he pressed on, knowing there was more to discover.
Eventually, he reached a massive door. It loomed before him, imposing and impenetrable. Strangely, the mana particles seemed to stop at its surface, unable to pass through. He stared at the door, feeling an unexplainable weight settle over him.
As minutes passed, a strange sensation crept over Kaito. His body felt... different, as though it were aging rapidly. His muscles ached with the heaviness of time, and his skin tingled as if layers of life were slipping through his fingers.
"What... is this?" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
The labyrinth seemed to pulse around him, its energy thrumming in his veins. He placed a hand on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart—stronger and heavier than before. Was this the labyrinth's doing?
He then sighed then decide to start moving while avoiding the monsters, he didn't want to go to the treasures because they could be traps, so he finally reached the door, the aura around it made him felt like one wrong moves will spell his death.