Genius Prismatic Mage Chapter 296

#296. The Fountain of Mana (2)

Chorok.

Although there wasn't actually any water in the well, Ray seemed to hear a sound as he went down the well.

'The density of mana continues to increase as you go down.'

How did such a density form? It was truly a mysterious environment.

Ray focused his senses on the ring surrounding his heart.

Woof!

Four rings containing colorful mana.

The point of mana orbiting above it to build the fifth ring was moving dozens of times faster than usual.

‘… The speed is incredible.’

So much so that I felt an intense burning sensation due to the friction of mana.

I thought that if I made up my mind to stay in this space, I could reach the 5th circle in just a few weeks.

But what was even more surprising was that the current location was still at the entrance of the well.

This means that there is still a lot of room to accelerate the orbit of the rings.

Ray manipulated the wind from his gear to flip his body over and focused on his descent.

Phew!

Slowly, but not too slowly, my vision began to blur.

Sam's mana rippled along with Ray's falling body, and his vision grew darker and darker as he descended.

The light emitted by Sam's mana alone was not enough to completely drive away the darkness.

It was at that moment that the density of mana spread across the area suddenly skyrocketed.

Knock knock!

A feeling of being crushed in the giant's hands washed over my entire body.

Ray, who had been preparing, reacted quickly and amplified the strength of the mana in the rings placed along his skin.

The pain did not penetrate the boy's body and just passed away.

'If I had been a little late, it might have been dangerous.'

Ray thought so and floated a ball of light to look around.

Fragments of equipment and human skeletons hanging from protrusions on the wall were revealed through the darkness.

These are probably traces of the Harmony School figures who were unable to escape from here long ago.

I focused my mind on the descent again.

Knock knock!

The pressure of mana squeezing my body amplified at a terrifying rate.

Woohoo!

The point of mana that was building the fifth ring also entered a heart-rending orbital speed.

Although a lot of stress was being placed on the body, the descent could not be stopped.

Because something was calling out to him from down there, on the other side of the floor, beneath the well.

How far did it go down like that?

Suddenly my vision began to brighten.

Some objects on the floor were emitting light.

'One is a stone tablet, the other is… enveloped in light, so I can't tell the difference yet.'

Ray landed on the floor of the well, stopping the equipment from operating, and approached the stone slab first.

As I shook off the gray mana that had hardened and accumulated on the engraved letters, old letters dyed in purple mana appeared.

"Redran is trying to do something absurd. Creating and then destroying emotions. He is trying to imitate the power of God as a created being."

"Returning to the beginning when emotions did not exist. Being able to live an efficient life based solely on reason, is that evolution and progress? No, that is regression. No matter how comfortable and peaceful our lives are, if we cannot feel emotions in them, our lives will not have even a shred of meaning."

"But Redran will never succeed in his plan. He will return one day and be punished for all the wrongs he has done so far."

Like other stone tablets discovered so far, it appeared to have been engraved by a purple guardian.

'After our conversation about the sect, Rael also said he had no idea about the whereabouts of the Purple Guardian.'

There were two facts that could be learned from the contents of the stone tablet.

Afterwards, the Purple Guardian is believed to have infiltrated the city, observed the Doctor's movements, and attempted to stop him.

Also, the doctor's ambition to erase the world's emotions goes back a very long time.

… … .

Ray became curious.

Where is the purple guardian?

Is he still alive or dead?

According to Rael, the Doctor and the Purple Guardian used ancient alchemy to give up something precious in exchange for gaining near-eternal life.

However, it was not completely immortal as it was still vulnerable to illness and injury.

‘… I wish the Purple Guardian was alive, just like the Doctor.’

This was already the fourth stone tablet that had been discovered, so I had no idea how many arrangements there were in the world.

Her efforts to convey the events of the old days to the Rainbow Reincarnation were clearly felt.

'Perhaps there are more stone tablets elsewhere in the city.'

Just in case, it seemed better to leave the additional request to Nilla.

Ray bent down and picked up a small glowing object from the floor next to the stone slab.

'compass?'

Although it had a geometric shape, its identity could be deduced from the needle inside the glass cover.

At that time, I was looking carefully.

Woof!

The light from the compass suddenly rushed towards Ray's head.

With the absorption of light, the purpose and use of the compass replayed in her mind, and Ray was able to realize that it was a memory arranged by the Purple Guardian.

The identity of the compass was simple.

'A compass that can track the doctor's true location.'

However, the needle did not respond at all even when mana was injected, perhaps because it had broken down over time.

Ray put the compass in his bosom to show Rael, then closed his eyes and concentrated.

Both the slab and the light were checked.

Now there's only one thing left to do here.

The trajectory forming the fifth ring began to emit a hot light from Ray's chest.

*

The researchers said as they watched Ray moving further down the well.

“What do you think, Senior Researcher? Wherever you go these days, the topic of conversation is always the boy named Ray. How far will he go?”

“But considering the known achievements, wouldn’t it be okay to expect up to the 30-meter mark?”

“In fact, if you can just break through the 30-meter mark, it’s a level that’s far beyond the average. However, because of your young age, you’re bound to lack some experience, which is a bit of a stretch.”

Analysis and discussion continue to be heated.

It was a very research-like conversation.

There was some disagreement about the exact point of arrival, but everyone agreed that it would not exceed 40 meters.

The ability to withstand the pressure of mana is separate from the Circle's achievements and magical prowess.

This abnormal density of mana is something that cannot be experienced anywhere else, and most people who enter the well for the first time either return before descending even 10 meters or send a distress signal.

Even the protagonist of the rumor, no matter how great, cannot be an exception.

That's why researchers have already completed structural preparations.

Then someone spoke with conviction.

“I think it’s very likely that it will break the 60-meter mark. Didn’t you all see the explosion of the measuring device earlier? It’s proof that it has unimaginable potential, so I’m sure it’ll be amazing this time too.”

The atmosphere that was starting to die down was rekindled.

“It is not yet clear whether the explosion is due to the peculiarity of the constitution or whether the growth limit is truly open above the 6th circle. Research is needed.”

“But it’s true that I’m looking forward to it. If Ray-nim breaks the 60-meter mark on his first attempt….”

For a moment the air became quiet.

All the researchers turned their heads and cautiously looked at Khan.

The deepest dive recorded in the history of the school is 57.4 meters by Khan Samujang.

If it's 60 meters, it would mean that the record that had held the top spot for a long time has been renewed.

I knew that my manager wasn't particularly sensitive to such matters, but I was still cautious about mentioning it right up front.

Khan concluded the researchers' remarks in a nonchalant tone.

“If you can reach a depth of 60 meters on your first try, that would mean you have unimaginably superhuman mana control. Don’t you think so?”

“Oh, yes, that’s right!”

The tension lifted, and Khan and the researchers gathered in front of the panel and checked the printed numbers.

“We have now passed the 11, 12… 13 meter mark.”

“So far, so good.”

As the numbers grew larger, Ray's figure in Sam's possession began to fade away and was no longer visible.

“It seems like you’re adapting better than I thought, as the numbers are steadily increasing.”

“Now we’re at 27, 28… and 29 meters.”

With the 30-meter breakthrough, everyone let out soft gasps and sighs of relief.

In fact, up to this point, it was somewhat expected, and from now on, it could be said that it was the real beginning.

35 meters.

Now I can't hold out any longer and I'll have to come up.

40 meters.

It's really going to come up now.

45 meters.

Now it's really, really going to come up.

The numbers broke through each section without hesitation, as if mocking such thoughts.

Suddenly, all conversation disappeared and only a tense and anxious atmosphere flowed in the scene.

And finally.

When the number exceeded 57 meters.

“The record has been broken!”

“Finally, a new record…!”

The researchers let out a loud cheer without realizing it.

At the same time, I was shocked by the overwhelming talent that the boy possessed.

But the heightened emotions were short-lived.

“5, 59! 63! 67 meters! I’m falling at a rapid rate! I think there’s something wrong with my equipment!”

“Everyone, prepare to be rescued! Move now!”

At Khan's prompt direction, equipped researchers lined up in front of Sam.

But in that brief moment, the crash had ended and the numbers on the panel had completely stopped and were no longer changing.

[102.8 meters]

It was the point where it was assumed to be the complete bottom of the well.

The senior researcher asked in a fidgety voice.

“Chief, what should we do? Ray has already fallen to a point of no return. Not only is the chance of rescue close to 0%, but we can’t even guarantee our lives…”

“… … .”

Khan looked down at Sam with a pained face.

A pang of guilt gnawed at my heart, thinking that I should have been more careful and taken more precautions before making my suggestion to the boy.

His own old curiosity and interest had killed his young possibilities.

“I’m going in. You all stay here. Give me your gear.”

“Sir, this is not possible. It is better to give up. Not only is it meaningless to throw away your life, but Ray-nim’s body will not remain intact due to the pressure of mana right now!”

“Give it to me right now! You’ll have to go down there to find out!”

“You have to think rationally!”

After much bickering, Khan realized something.

“Wait a minute! Just be quiet for a moment!”

When everyone stopped talking, the son-in-law became quiet.

Khan concentrated his mind and could faintly sense the vibrations of mana at the bottom of the well.

It was a vibration pattern that could not be ignored.

Because that was the sound that appeared when the points of mana orbited to form a circle.

'… Accelerating the rotation of the ring? In that place where the mana pressure is so high that it's crushing your body?'

For a moment, I felt like my thoughts stopped.

Because that just made no sense.

But the phenomenon being detected was telling us that the current situation was real.

“Hahaha! Ehahahahahaha!”

After a while, Khan burst into laughter that seemed like he had lost his mind.

The researchers looked at the sight without knowing what was going on.

Khan finally stopped laughing and said while wiping away his tears.

“We’re starting to look ridiculous. It was just a useless worry.”

"yes?"

“What do you mean…?”

The researchers' questions were answered in front of the panel.

“The numbers are starting to fluctuate again!”