Chapter 1042: Milestone (29)

[A Guiding Coil (諭旋) applies mana rotation in different directions to both positive and negative charges.]

Crackle!!

Before Lennok’s eyes, two bolts of lightning chased each other’s tails, rotating.

[The Fortress of Compression (築城), an unparalleled ability to compress and store lightning across two worlds.]

Vwoom!!

Above a massive box of lightning, electrical energy steadily compressed and stacked up.

[The Lightning Void (雷虛), imbued with the void’s property transformation, possessing the most extreme inverse polarity among all property transformations.]

Whoosh…!!

Lightning, transparent as glass, rose above his head and rotated silently.

Fragile enough to shatter at any moment, yet scattering an infinitely eerie chill, was the glass-colored lightning.

[Even Celestial Lightning (仙雷), which processes bio-electricity with will-thought to drastically extend lifespan.]

Crackle…!!!

Above the brilliantly glowing sanctuary sky, various bolts of lightning trailed like a meteor shower.

Reflected in the sanctuary sky was the distant scenery of the Outer Sea.

Each bolt of lightning illuminating the darkness was proof of someone’s enlightenment and answer left in this world.

As Lennok silently gazed at the scenery, an authoritative electrical voice resounded overhead.

[The moment one grasps lightning, there is an enlightenment that precedes all causality of the mundane world, thus it continues beyond time and destruction.]

“……”

[To transcend the Horizon of Thought means precisely such transcendent inspiration, shattering perception and speed.]

Skewered obliquely in the center of the Hall of the Thunder God’s sanctuary, scattering an intense presence, was the colossal Lightning Spear.

A weapon of overwhelming size, easily tens of meters long, scattered an intense electrical voice towards Lennok.

[The Hall of the Thunder God is a miracle symbolizing that very deep-seated wish.]

“Even if worlds apart, if one masters lightning, someone will arrive here, then…”

Because there exists an enlightenment that precedes time, the wisdom of Transcendent beings who reached the extreme continues unbroken beyond space and time.

The Hall of the Thunder God was a sanctuary where the knowledge and wisdom of wizards who reached the extreme and attained Foreknowledge flowed and gathered.

It was, quite literally, a symbol proving that the origin of lightning magic was no different across three worlds.

The lightning that stands at the forefront of one’s life, as Akendrias El Thorben had described.

Just as the Tower Lord had, and just as Lennok had.

If they had dreamed the same thing across three worlds, then the reason for such a place existing could also be understood.

“It seems undeniable that each of these powers embraces a colossal principle.”

Lennok, who had been gazing intently at the glass lightning reaching the other side, turned his body.

“But I’m still more interested in something else than a specific enlightenment or spellcraft.”

[……]

Even within the immeasurably vast sanctuary of the Hall of the Thunder God, the Lightning Spear existed with uniquely colossal and peerless size.

A massive spear shaft, easily tens of meters long, and an authoritative will-thought that wrapped around it, pressing down on Lennok.

“Lightning with a will. The fact that it’s a being that maintains its ego alone in this sanctuary is extremely intriguing.”

[…Hmm.]

“I’ve heard of artifacts with an ego, but it’s rare for one to be capable of such delicate communication.”

Lennok said, looking up at the Lightning Spear.

“If it’s such profound enlightenment that it can maintain its will even after being inscribed in the sanctuary, it surely has value beyond that.”

The Hall of the Thunder God’s sanctuary, glowing with intermingling white lightning.

The entrance to enlightenment, having overloaded the War Magic Tower’s Jurisdiction and forcibly opened the gate to enter.

However, what Lennok intended to take from this Hall of the Thunder God was not other enlightenments or spellcraft, but the colossal Lightning Spear itself.

Even though the Lightning Spear explained the nature and power of the sanctuary, Lennok’s thoughts had not changed.

[I knew there were many strange ones among the humans who bore the causality of my lightning, but…]

The Lightning Spear, which had been silent after hearing Lennok’s words, soon retorted as if dumbfounded.

[It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a human act so stubbornly even after hearing the explanation. Did you even listen to my explanation so far?]

“I understand that this space is a sanctuary for spellcasters who mastered lightning magic and gained enlightenment.”

Lennok nodded, looking up at the colossal Lightning Spear.

“That probably means transcending the Horizon of Thought refers to breaking through ‘limits’ in a specific field of spellcraft.”

While the civilization in this world is considerably developed, surprisingly, the technology for handling electricity itself is not that advanced.

Perhaps due to mana, the way electricity is used remains at a level similar to the world Lennok lived in.

Transcending the Horizon of Thought is consistent with the act of opening new horizons in lightning manipulation.

And Lennok was also aware of why he already possessed the qualifications to enter the Hall of the Thunder God.

‘Myriad Sands Divine Thunder.’

A point of arrival conceived during the battle with Croken Asylus, discussed even borrowing Davi’s computational abilities.

Lightning perfected to the extreme of Property Transformation during the battles with Peshia Grisbern and the 6th Apostle Anathema.

The Heart-Will Spellcraft of Lennok’s lightning-type Unique Magic.

The moment the Myriad Sands Divine Thunder blossomed, Lennok truly transcended the Horizon of Thought.

He knew that this became the catalyst for Thorben’s Tower Lord to seek Lennok, and as a result, he now stood in this sanctuary.

[If you understand that much, then you must also know why that is impossible.]

The electrical voice resounding through the spear shaft suddenly became stern.

[I am not an object of enlightenment or Foreknowledge. Rather, I am a being like an unresolved regret that could not be perfected in that manner.]

“……”

[Do you desire the contradiction of grasping something that does not exist under the laws of this sanctuary, according to those very laws?]

“I knew you weren’t merely the sanctuary’s guide. You might not even have been a living being from the start.”

Lennok gazed at the spear with a heavy look.

“But if your existence is uniquely special even in this sanctuary, if even that was a result accepted by your own will…”

Lennok, extending a hand towards the Lightning Spear, said.

“I want that contradiction itself.”

[……]

The Lightning Spear that spoke to Lennok was not a being normally residing in the Hall of the Thunder God.

Yet, even understanding this, Lennok intended to choose the Lightning Spear, not the other enlightenments inscribed in the sanctuary.

Not merely out of curiosity for lightning with a will, but because he saw reflected in that being a value and otherness beyond that.

As if the Lightning Spear also understood Lennok’s firm will, silence fell.

Even the thunder that raced across the sanctuary’s sky subsided, and a heavy stillness took its place.

[To understand my words and yet not yield your will. A human with dull ears despite keen insight…]

The Lightning Spear, letting out a low sigh, muttered.

[From the start, you had no intention of following the Hall of the Thunder God’s rules.]

“……”

Before the silent Lennok, the colossal spear point slowly began to vibrate.

[Very well. If you reject the transcendence of this sanctuary and insist on an impossible choice, I have an idea.]

Inflating its own will-thought to its fullest, an overwhelming power filled the entire sanctuary with a magnificent roar.

The Lightning Spear, scattering white lightning, spoke as if looking down at Lennok.

[I will personally test whether the enlightenment you gained truly possesses the special quality to transcend rules.]

“A test,”

Lennok slowly loosened his shoulders and nodded.

Because he had vaguely thought this might happen from the moment he chose the talking Lightning Spear.

Rather than summarily expelling Lennok from the sanctuary, the promise to test him was a good thing for Lennok.

“Not bad. So, from now on, I just need to show you something that catches your eye?”

[One chance. I shall limit the time to three minutes.]

The Lightning Spear said in an authoritative tone.

[The principle will be to display and exchange each other’s spellcraft.]

“…Exchange?”

Lennok’s expression furrowed at the Lightning Spear’s answer.

Because, no matter how he looked at it, the Lightning Spear did not appear to be in a form that could exchange spellcraft with Lennok.

“You’re not suggesting you’ll directly strike my head with that spearhead, are you?”

[Hmph, don’t worry. Even without such a barbaric method—]

Crackle!!!

At that moment, the lightning wrapping around the colossal spear shaft blazed blindingly, covering the entire Lightning Spear in brilliant white.

From beyond the brilliantly blazing white light, a clear, human voice, not an electrical one, resounded.

“There are plenty of ways to test you, you see.”

“……!!!!”

In the spot where the white Lightning Spear had been impaled, stood a woman whose appearance was not just splendid, but lavish.

A magnificent physique easily surpassing two meters, appearing two heads taller than Lennok.

Countless rings adorned her hands, and several gem-studded bracelets hung from her forearms.

Over her flowing Dragon Robe, necklaces and prayer beads swayed, overlapping, and smooth silk shimmered at her feet.

But what was felt before such ornaments was the overwhelming pressure rising from the woman.

Not just heavy and ponderous, but an aura so fierce and arrogant it felt almost violent.

Her two eyes gleamed golden like mirrors reflecting lightning, and sharp bolts of lightning wrapped around her body like an aura.

If there were a tyrant, born infinitely noble, who became a Transcendent on their own, would they be like this?

“Surely not…”

The Hall of the Thunder God was a sanctuary created from gathered enlightenments that exist preceding all causality.

However, that was tantamount to saying that only the enlightenment, not the spellcaster themselves, settled beyond worlds.

Yet, the fact that the Lightning Spear before his eyes could transform into a living human form—

“The Lightning Unraveling Spellcraft (雷解術式) I use is the power to unravel all things based on lightning.”

Rumble!!! Crackle!!!

With those words, brilliant white lightning burst forth from behind the woman, who had her arms crossed.

Merely by lightly raising her will-thought, she dyed the entire Hall of the Thunder God brilliant white, scattering a tingling radiance.

Without any direction or purpose, simply by existing there, it overflowed infinitely, filling the space.

With that alone, white lightning roughly pressed down as if to crush Lennok, spinning fiercely above his head.

Crackle!!

“It is the spellcraft of an emperor who places all concepts existing in the world under the Sovereign of Heavenly Lightning Radiance and rules them.”

“……!!”

The woman said.

“Using this spellcraft, I was called the Lightning Emperor in the First World.”

The Pinnacle Magic [Torrential Thunder (雷濫)] that Lennok had once cast against the 10th Apostle Amrita. It was lightning that manifested and burst at a much higher level of achievement than that technique, which had changed everything, including talent, mental image, and five senses, into overflowing electrical energy.

“If your lightning has truly transcended the Horizon of Thought, you will have something to show me.”

Seeing Lennok, who had frozen at the overwhelming power, difficult even to imagine, the woman crossed her arms.

“Assume your stance, wizard.”

“……”

“Whether the enlightenment you will leave behind is worthy of such stubbornness, I myself will test it.”

“Leave enlightenment, take enlightenment…”

Lennok, who muttered with a hardened expression, understood the woman’s words and raised his gaze.

“You intended to directly guide me through the process of maintaining and allowing the Hall of the Thunder God to exist.”

The only mortal who can enter the Hall of the Thunder God is a single wizard who has mastered lightning-type Unique Magic to its extreme.

The reason why, among those who bear the causality of lightning, only the wizard standing at the forefront can enter the Hall of the Thunder God is:

Only that being can inscribe new enlightenment within this sanctuary in a new timeline.

They transmit and add enlightenment beyond the causality of destruction and timelines.

Because it prioritizes and transmits intangible values, not human life and existence, the Hall of the Thunder God exists even beyond three worlds.

To understand and inherit that in this sanctuary, Lennok also had to add new magic upon that untrodden path.

“……”

Lennok, realizing this, pulled up his mana and gathered his hands.

The single magic he had prepared since he began fighting the Thorben Magic Tower.

Because he instinctively knew he could still incant the magic he hadn’t been able to unleash against the Tower’s wizards.

Now, he could decide what enlightenment Lennok would leave here against that spellcaster.

Within this vast sanctuary of the Thunder God, he could inscribe new magic worthy for Lennok to take.

Vwoooom!!!

Rapidly rotating the remaining mana within his body, he compressed and concentrated it, then burst it forth in an instant.

Upon the mana seeping between his clasped palms, he simultaneously applied eight types of Property Transformation and compressed it.

Load and repulsion, resonance and dispersion, compression and sculpting, rotation and fusion.

Gathering all the immeasurably fractured lightning, he gathered it into one place again after undergoing eight types of transformation.

One of the Heart-Will Spellcrafts with top-tier power among Lennok’s Pinnacle Magic.

A miracle assembled from the flip side of reality, after inflating and drawing up electrical energy and lightning, then adding various types of Property Transformation to the extreme.

The lightning of thought that killed Armas von Anathema.

[Myriad Sands Divine Thunder (沙上申雷)]

CRAAAAACKLE!!!!

In Lennok’s hand, a brilliantly glowing blue octahedron rose and began to spin fiercely.

“Hoo, that is…”

Perhaps sensing an unusual aura from that incantation, the woman’s face also changed to a rather intrigued expression.

“Lightning that has transcended by refining Property Transformation to its extreme, is it.”

“……”

“So there was a reason Akendrias chose you. But that alone is not enough.”

CRACRACRACKLE!!!

The shimmering white lightning behind the Lightning Emperor twisted and bent, gathering at his fingertips.

Forcibly bending the direction of lightning that naturally extends forward without changing course, it was an oppressive method of ruling it under his will.

But the lightning gathered, twisted and broken, carried a will-thought more destructive than any other spellcraft, and crushed everything it encountered.

Under a logic of power that was nothing but oppressive and arrogant, it was the lightning of a tyrant who utterly killed and broke the weak.

“If you fail to meet expectations, your answer right here…”

The Lightning Emperor, who murmured with a chilling expression, raised his chin.

“I will break it.”

[Celestial Emperor (天帝): Electrical Star Transformation (電爲變星)]

KABOOOOOOOM!!!!

The entire vast path of the Hall of the Thunder God overflowed with brilliant white lightning.

The distorted lightning from the Lightning Emperor’s fingertips accelerated, aiming its full repulsive force at Lennok.

Eventually becoming a brilliantly glowing Supernova, it burned through non-existent space-time.

RUUUMMMBBLE!!!!

The Lightning Emperor’s spellcraft, destroying and burning even the sanctuary of pure enlightenment.

But Lennok, even seeing that, did not move his Myriad Sands Divine Thunder.

In this lightning sanctuary, at this moment of testing each other’s enlightenment,

Lennok knew what he had to show, going beyond Myriad Sands Divine Thunder once more.

The Lightning Emperor desired and wished for something beyond Foreknowledge that transcended the Horizon of Thought.

Because what that transcendent wizard demanded of Lennok, though different in direction, was similar to Myeong.

Lennok could easily decide what magic to show that person.

Could what Myeong, who began the Gabihaeng, conveyed to Lennok be encapsulated in just a few words?

Myeong’s own conclusion. His method of using Lennok as a standard.

Until the very end, when he considered himself a sinner and humbly moved towards his conclusion.

However, what he conveyed to Lennok was not just the possibility of a branching point to master black magic.

The transcendent enlightenment Myeong playfully handed over while slaughtering the Central Front’s factions in Lennok’s stead.

Now, having fought the Thorben wizards and embodied and accepted the countless possibilities of lightning magic, it seems possible.

Now, when Lennok’s intuition and spirit are filled with the causality of lightning more than ever.

Reaching the extreme of one lineage, the second possibility one finally reaches.

That very moment of encountering an anomalous ability contrary to one’s original lineage—

He grasped it.

CRACK!!!

In Lennok’s hand, the fiercely rotating octahedron of Myriad Sands Divine Thunder cracked and peeled away on the spot.

A sense of speed reaching its extreme. The moment he reversed and stopped lightning’s nature, which was faster and more agile than anything.

[Decasing (脫殼)]

SCREEEEEECH!!!

With the sound of shattering glass, the Electrical Star Transformation shot by the Lightning Emperor came to an abrupt halt before Lennok’s eyes.

Wrapped in fierce radiance, the light of the spellcraft, which had been surging as if it would explode at any moment, came to a standstill.

The Lightning Emperor’s splendid golden eyes, which had been holding an eerie smile, suddenly widened in surprise.

“The moment one reaches the extreme and transcends, it wears away and reverses.”

“You…!!”

“Reversing Myriad Sands Divine Thunder, which reached the extreme of Property Transformation, forcibly stopping all existing changes…”

Scattering the Myriad Sands Divine Thunder that was breaking into pieces and dispersing from his fingertips with both hands, Lennok opened his mouth.

“If it’s a power that can stop even the flow and change of time, couldn’t it even touch the laws of the sanctuary?”