Chapter 11 : Open Sesame

“Was drinking three mana potions too much after all…?”

A must-have emergency supply for wizards—everyone should carry at least one just in case.

A highly effective item that restores mana just by drinking it, but the downside is that it tastes absolutely disgusting and causes severe nausea.

Drinking three of them?

Of course, there’s no way I wouldn’t get sick.

I was prepared for this, but just thinking about having to do it again on the way back already makes my stomach churn.

Well, that’s a problem for later.

For now, I should just focus on what I need to do.

“Ssshh…

Haa…

Alright.”

After somewhat calming my stomach, I slapped my cheeks to regain focus, and the dizziness faded.

I felt a little weak from throwing up, but it wouldn’t interfere with using magic.

“I’m sorry.

I ended up wasting some time.”

Putting on the brightest smile I could muster, I turned towards the investigation team that had been waiting for me.

I had been curious about the people investigating the ancient ruins.

Given the importance of the task, it made sense that there were many of them—soldiers, scholars, and even wizards.

If they had this many people and still made no progress, then the situation must really be troublesome.

“No worries.

But are you alright?

You don’t look well.”

“I’m fine.

I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather since yesterday, but I can still assist you all.”

“Well…

I feel bad making someone sick push themselves like this.”

After a brief exchange of formalities with the team captain, who introduced himself as Tons, we headed straight for the problematic door.

I had to tilt my head all the way up to see the top of it—it was massive.

I gave it an experimental push with my hand, but all I felt was the cold surface of stone.

It didn’t budge an inch.

Well, it’s an ancient ruin.

Of course, it wouldn’t be that easy.

Not that I expected it to be.

“Come to think of it, I heard you called me here because of some untranslated ancient text.

Where is it?”

“It should be written on the wall over there.

That section…”

Following Tons’ indication, I looked at a rectangular plaque embedded in the wall, filled with writing.

Even I had never seen these ancient characters before.

No wonder the scholars here couldn’t decipher it.

“Hmm…”

This was probably the key to opening the door—or at least a hint.

Judging by the expectant stares from behind me, they were all hoping I could figure it out.

I had already ordered my skill to translate it.

[The fierce flame and the deep water do not devour each other but coexist as the wind. Distortion is also balance—prove this, and the path shall open.]

“Oh-ho.

I see…”

The translation appeared in my vision as if it were typed into a system window.

To others, it must have looked like I was reading and translating it manually.

I had to put on an act—solving it too quickly might make them suspicious.

“What do you think?

Do you understand what it means?”

“Yes, more or less.”

It was written in a metaphorical manner, but if my guess was right, it referred to magic.

As I examined the door further, I noticed a depression about the size of a fist in the center.

So that’s where it goes.

“Alright, I’ll get started.”

“What?”

Summoning my magic, I gathered intermediate-level fire and water spells in each hand.

“Wait, Count!

What are you doing?

Are you trying to destroy the door?!”

“I’m not, so just stay back and watch!”

To be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure this would work.

But I had no other ideas, so this would have to do.

Even if I was wrong, I’d take responsibility, so no need to worry.

Ignoring Tons’ horrified shout, I pressed my hands together, attempting to merge the two spells.

As expected, the conflicting elements repelled each other violently.

If left unchecked, they would explode.

So instead of forcing them together, I twisted them.

Like a vortex drawing towards its center, I shaped the clashing forces into a spiral.

‘Imperial mages really must be out of their minds.’

Requiring multi-casting—a skill only intermediate-level mages and above could use—while also demanding the ability to merge two opposing spells?

A clear message:

“If you’re not worthy, don’t even try to open this.”

I like it.

‘Almost there.’

The raging mana gradually condensed into a single sphere.

A swirling orb of red and blue—it looked almost like a beautiful piece of jewelry.

But the moment I dropped it, the entire area would be obliterated.

A mana bomb, so to speak.

And this was supposed to be the key?

Even I felt a bit nervous actually carrying it out.

“Tons, you trust me, right?”

“W-What do you mean by that?!

Please, at least explain before you give me a heart attack!”

I guess it was too much to expect blind trust from someone I had just met today.

Sorry, but I can’t explain—I’m struggling just to keep this thing stable.

Screw it.

Whatever happens, happens.

“A-Ah!

No, wait—!”

As I brought the sphere to the indentation in the door, someone let out a terrified scream.

But it was short-lived.

The carved space absorbed the orb, and surprised murmurs spread through the group.

“Huh?”

A moment later, lines of red and blue light spread across the door.

Then, with a deep rumbling sound, it slowly began to open.

“I-It’s opening…!”

Oh, so this actually worked.

The supposedly impenetrable door parted, revealing the pitch-black depths of the cave beyond.

I had braced myself for failure, so I couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.

“How did you do that?!

Using two spells at the same time is one thing, but combining them?!”

“Amazing.

Would you consider joining the Mage Tower to advance magical research?”

Even as we walked deeper into the cave, people kept bombarding me with questions about what I had done.

The wizards, in particular, had their eyes practically sparkling, which was pretty overwhelming.

And the Mage Tower?

Before I graduated from the academy, I was tormented enough by the professors and the people there.

That’s just too cruel.

‘I just want to go home…’

Now that I had opened the door, shouldn’t I be able to leave?

I had agreed to tag along in case there were traps inside, but thinking about it now, that might have been a mistake.

“Hey!

We found something!

There’s a temple!”

About thirty minutes into our journey inside the cave, a voice from the vanguard echoed through the cavern.

Soon after, we came face-to-face with a structure that clearly resembled a temple.

Half of the pillars were broken, and the roof had completely collapsed.

Despite that, everyone, including myself, instinctively recognized it as a temple due to its grandeur and mystique.

‘It’s bigger than my mansion.’

What kind of god was worshiped here that they built something this massive inside a cave?

Honestly, I wanted to go in and take a closer look at what was inside, but now it was the investigation team’s turn to do their job.

Besides, my curiosity was outweighed by my overwhelming desire to just go home.

“Oh?

There’s something written on this stone tablet.”

“What does it say?

It’s not more of that ancient language we can’t read, is it?”

“…It looks like it is.”

“Ah, damn it.”

Hmm.

Looks like I’ll have to help a little more before I leave.

“Excuse me, let me take a look.”

As I approached the scholars gathered around the stone tablet, they immediately stepped aside.

It seemed they had already realized I was the most capable one here in this field.

Alright, what does this one say?

Can you translate it for me?

[Insufficient mana.]

I gave the command, but my skill window displayed the last thing I wanted to see right now.

Oh, come on.

[Insufficient mana.]

I tried again, but nothing changed.

With no other choice, I reluctantly pulled a mana potion from my small bag and chugged it in one go.

The sickening taste scraped my throat as it went down, as if it was scouring my windpipe clean.

The moment it reached my stomach, nausea surged up, and I instinctively covered my mouth to stop myself from throwing up.

Four mana potions in one day.

…Ah.

If I count the trip back home, I’ll need to drink more.

Damn it.

“B-Baekjang-nim, why did you suddenly…?”

A scholar who had been watching me curiously spoke up.

“Ah…

I, uh, sometimes drink this for fatigue recovery.”

“T-That awful-tasting thing?”

Oh, so he’s had it before.

“You get used to it after drinking it enough.

Want one?”

“N-No, I’m fine!”

Jeez, no need to look that disgusted.

After tossing the empty bottle aside, I felt my mana refill and gave the skill another command.

This thing is really useful, but it consumes one-fifth of my total mana each time, so I can’t use it too often.

That’s why even after learning magic, I could barely use it—because I kept running out of mana.

Ah, good times.

As I waited for the skill to translate the ancient text, I found myself lost in idle thoughts.

Then, the translation finally began appearing in my skill window.

[This place is a sacred ground dedicated to our ■■■. Do not commit sacrilege against ■■■■ for the sake of stability.

Every year, do not forget ■■ to avoid incurring their wrath. For the stability of the empire…]

The stone tablet was too damaged in several areas, leaving large, frustrating gaps in the translation.

Still, considering this was a temple, it was likely describing the deity they worshiped.

The empire had ruled over the entire continent, yet strangely enough, they had only ever believed in a single god.

Given their vast territory, they should have had countless religions, but there were no historical records of any religious conflicts.

Maybe we just haven’t found any records, or maybe such conflicts truly never existed.

Because of this, some scholars have speculated a certain possibility—

What if gods really did exist in that era?

Not that I’d find that surprising.

After all, I died and was reborn inside a game world.

Anyway, after relaying the translation to the scholars, I finally went to find Tons so I could actually leave.

“I’ll be heading out now.

Doesn’t seem like you need my help anymore.”

“Huh?

Just like that?”

“I’ve got matters to attend to back at my territory.”

“Hah.

You must be quite the busy man.”

Yes.

I need to get back and check on my precious Serena.

“That’s a shame, but I hope we meet again.

By the way, are you planning to fly back again?”

“…I don’t have much of a choice.

It’s the fastest way.”

“Haha.

It must be fun, soaring through the skies.

I wish I had tried it in my younger days.”

Tons laughed, oblivious to how I felt.

My fist clenched slightly, but I forced a smile and played along.

Honestly, I just wanted to shove a mana potion into his mouth.

‘Just wait a little longer, my adorable Serena!’

The thought of seeing her soon was enough to keep me going.

At least, until I actually took off.