Using a grimoire is extremely simple.
One just has to read it.
Which is exactly why something as priceless as a High Grimoire is sealed with a lock on the outside.
Freya had already handed Renjiro the matching golden key.
At this moment, the goddess wasn't even seated on her throne anymore.
Filled with anticipation, she stood right beside it, watching the black-haired youth who had returned to his little personal stool… and she was even more focused than he was.
She did not want to miss the "possibility" that might appear next.
Because this was the greatest and most mysteriousUnknown in the entire Lower World.
And she was fortunate enough to witness it alone.
As for Renjiro…
Click~
Using the golden key, he undid the seal of the High Grimoire. Placing it gently on his lap, he slowly opened it.
The first page,
"Autobiography · Mirror, Mirror, who is the most beautiful Magical Girl in the world? ~Extra Edition: Aiming for Supreme Magic~"
Well, Renjiro, having read the original Danmachi storyline, had already guessed the contents would be… eccentric.
He had mentally prepared himself long ago.
Thus, he cleared his mind and read on,
"Magic can generally be divided into two types: Innate Magic and Acquired Magic."
This was something Renjiro already knew.
Continuing,
"The essence of Acquired Magic is a form of Self-Realization, achieved through the medium of the God's Blessing."
"Personal interests and desires play a decisive role in awakening Acquired Magic."
"Recognition, admiration, hatred, grief, devotion, vow, longing… The trigger for awakening lies in your own hands."
==========
Without noticing it, Renjiro's consciousness had completely sunk into the text.
Honestly, if he had been able to study like this before the college entrance exams, he probably could've crammed his way straight into Tsinghua or Peking University.
The High Grimoire was now exerting its unique effect.
Renjiro turned the page,
"To you (me), what is Magic?"
He seemed to faintly hear his own voice.
And naturally, without thinking, he answered within his heart:
"Magic is the earliest fantasy, the remnant of myth. It is humanity's yearning for strength born in hardship. And, for science (civilization), it is the unresolved mystery of today, and the future (unknown frontier) that must eventually be reached."
Renjiro did not notice that every line he finished reading vanished the moment his eyes passed over it,
As though his gaze itself were an eraser, wiping away ink.
This was clear proof that the High Grimoire was functioning.
Freya could not hear Renjiro's thoughts.
But for a brief moment, she felt as though, because Renjiro was willingly resonating with the grimoire,
She was almost able to glimpse that thing.
That thing which even the Falna could not decipher if Renjiro resisted even slightly.
Subconsciously, Renjiro flipped to the next page,
"To you (me), what form does Magic take?"
Again, he answered without hesitation:
"Since it belongs to realms (I believe) current science (civilization) cannot yet reach, it must be a profound art capable of achieving what is 'unscientific.'"
Magic is simply *science not yet understood.*
This concept would be familiar to nearly every Earthling who has ever read a fantasy story.
Thus,
"Magic is formless, existing between 'illusion' and 'reality,' a conceptual power shaped by imagination."
As this thought emerged, Renjiro did not realize the reality beside him,
Freya's eyes were wide with shock.
Next,
He turned another page,
"To you (me), what do you seek in Magic?"
This time, Renjiro paused briefly before answering:
"It must be strong. It must be controllable. It must have no side-effects."
"It must never fall behind. Its potential must be limitless."
==========
While Renjiro answered silently in his heart, the High Grimoire was constructing his personal truth.
In the quiet room atop Babel Tower, the only sound was the soft, steady rustling of pages.
Page,
Answer.
Page,
Answer.
Until,
"Is that all?"
He had reached the final page.
Like a mirror reflecting the soul, the book (Renjiro) posed its final question.
Renjiro fell silent.
After a long time…
"I am weak."
So he needed strength.
"I fear death."
So he stayed in the shadows.
"I dislike negative 'unexpected outcomes.'"
So he always planned ahead, aiming for safety above all.
"But… I also want to challenge myself. I want to live freely, without restraint."
"I want people to know not just the 'Traveler,' but me."
Renjiro knew well that Traveler Aether was himself.
But he still hoped that, in this world, there would be people besides Freya and Ottar,
Who would call him by his real name.
Yet at the same time, he was conflicted.
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