"No," the old Lizardman priest shook his head slowly.
Minori blinked. "You're the one setting up the ritual?"
"Indeed. I shall prepare the circle for this 'Magic Enhancement' ritual."
"Then get started." Minori kept his tone flat, though the corner of his eye twitched faintly.
He remembered now—this strengthening ritual wasn't from YGGDRASIL. When Cocytus had encountered a similar ritual among the Lizardmen, even the usually unshakable Guardian had been surprised.
The old priest immediately got to work, rummaging through a few containers in the corner of the hut. Strange bones, blood-based ink, glowing moss… all laid out one by one. Then, on the wooden floor, he knelt and began to draw.
Minori stepped back to give him space. "What kind of preparations does this require?"
He already held a tattered bark scroll in his Item Box, taken from the dying forest gnome, Duogan. It detailed a transformation rite called "Wild Transformation," but the ritual principles weren't entirely clear.
Now was a good time to learn.
The Lizardman elder explained while he worked. Rituals varied wildly, he said, but the two universal keys were the formation of the magic circle and the magical materials used.
This particular one—"Magic Rise"—wasn't very picky with its components. Anything containing trace magical power could serve as fuel. The real limiting factor was the user's understanding of magic theory and willpower to stabilize the output.
Time passed.
The lines etched into the wooden floor grew more elaborate. A dull, coppery scent began to rise as the priest crushed bloodstones into powder. Magical bones were placed at strategic points, and greenish ichor smeared the sigils.
Minori's nose wrinkled.
He considered using "Smellless", but held back. Better not to interfere with the ambient magical atmosphere.
"Nnnghh…"
A groan came from outside the door.
Minori turned his head. Kuro was standing at the threshold, its eyes glowing. At its feet lay the wounded Lizardman chief—Sukyu Juju—who had somehow survived.
It wasn't out of mercy. Minori still needed the local leader alive.
Sukyu Juju cracked open an eye. At first dazed, then confused, and finally…
"HUMAN!!"
The Lizardman howled and lunged forward—rage burning through cracked ribs and bruised limbs.
Minori sighed.
"I don't have time for this."
In a blur, he vanished from his spot.
Sukyu Juju barely saw the movement. Despite having both Guerrilla and Light Cavalry classes—speed-based professions—he couldn't react.
Minori appeared in front of him and lashed out with a side-kick.
CRACK!
The sound of ribs giving way echoed in the room. Blood burst from Sukyu Juju's mouth as he was launched backward, crashing through the wooden door and into another hut down the road.
"Fetch him." Minori ordered Kuro.
"Woof."
With eerie silence, the beast darted out and dragged the limp Lizardman back, dropping him like a sack.
Minori confirmed he was still alive, then returned his gaze to the ritual.
It took over an hour, but at last the priest finished.
The magic circle was intricate—pulsing faintly.
Minori stepped into it. As directed, he fed a sliver of mana into the lines. The entire diagram lit up with pale blue light, humming softly.
"So this is the 'Magic Rise' effect…"
According to the elder, it could temporarily allow a user to cast magic up to two tiers higher than their current capability. But it would demand massive mana in return.
Based on his current caster level, the four caster levels are:
…
Magical system: Pharmacist, Alchemist, Magician, Necromancer - 40Lv
Believers: Priestess, Priest, Forest Priest, Priest - 40Lv
Spiritual system: Wizard - 10Lv
Others: Shaman——10Lv
[TL: I Am actullay not sure what this means, im sorry if anyone understands i can put it in thanks]
—Still early in his progression.
In theory, magicians and believers can use magic of the sixth tier (level 36 to 42).
Yes, in theory.
Because in the other world, Minori knew that the number of people who mastered magic above the sixth level could be counted on one hand, and they were all people he could not afford to offend at the moment.
In addition, the magic that can be used, such as "Angel Summoning", has nothing to do with the caster's level, but is related to the player's level.
"That is to say, with my current spellcaster level, I can use this magic ritual to release eighth-tier magic or faith magic."
Minori raised his eyebrows. After this calculation, even he was a little surprised.
According to the old priest lizardman, activating "Magic Rise" can allow one to use magic that he has not mastered, but there are obvious limitations.
Since the old priest lizardman himself has not mastered this magic, he doesn't know much about its limitations.
He could only experiment on his own.
"Fireball."
He invoked the most well-known Tier 3 spell, even though he hadn't unlocked it yet.
The circle flared—and then dimmed.
Nothing.
Minori exhaled slowly, unsurprised. The system had safeguards. You couldn't just cheat your way to high-tier magic that easily. It wasn't just about MP—it was about compatibility, understanding, skill acquisition.
"Explain this magic more thoroughly."
The priest did. Minori listened, eyes narrowing.
Memories surfaced—visions of the Lizardmen in Cocytus's timeline using this strange reinforcement method.
Suddenly, it clicked.
"So it doesn't let me cast arbitrary spells. It lets me attempt to trigger latent potential."
He turned toward Sukyu Juju.
"Healing—Severe Injuries!"
A faith-based Tier 3 spell.
The circle surged.
Blue light flared upward, then contracted into a tiny magic formation floating above Minori's palm. Sacred white energy burst from it and fell over the unconscious Lizardman.
[MP: 128 → 18]
The wounds knit shut. Bones realigned.
Sukyu Juju didn't wake, but the bleeding had stopped.
Buzz.
A faint vibration ran through Minori's body. A status screen appeared before his eyes.
New Magic Discovered:
[Healing Severe Injuries] – Tier 3 Faith Magic
Requirement Met: Faith-based Caster Level 3+
Would you like to learn this magic?
[Magic Rise] – Special Ritual Skill
Requirement Met: Magic Chanter-type Class
Would you like to learn this magic?
Minori raised his eyebrows.
"So that's how it works… it forces an encounter with a spell through ritual resonance. And if I succeed—my system integrates it."
With a thought, he allocated two skill points.
[Skill Points: 40 → 38]
Skill: Healing Severe Injuries (Lv3)
MP Cost: 15
Restores 50 HP
Skill: Magic Rise
MP Cost: 50
Temporarily allows use of spells one tier above current limit; consumes double mana. Up to two tiers with ritual.