Idle Mage: Humanity's Strongest Backer-Novel

[Signed-in at the Grand Archives. You received: -50% Grinding Slot Duration Ticket.]

'Ooh, nice.' Ashton mused to himself as he sat down on his station. He kept that ticket in his Inventory for now since he doesn't have any immediate uses for it.

Before reading anything from the Grand Archives, Ashton summoned his Profile Page to inspect the recent changes he experienced.

***

[Profile]

Host: Ashton West

Title: Child of Mana

Race: Human, Fey (95%)

Aptitude:

Mageroot: Mysterious Rainbow

Magical Artifact: Cursed Book of Infinity (Legendary)

Providence: Fey Emperor's Blessings (Grade ???)

Specialization: White Mage (Main), Gunslinger (Sub)

Rank: Lv.1 Warlock (1st Virtue) (2nd Refinement)

Cultivation Technique: Treasure Glazed Nine-Refinements Sutra (4th Layer)

[Spells: (Omitted)]

[Traits: Purity]

[Inventory:]

[Grinding Spots: 100/100]

[Sign-in Opportunities: 0]

[Mission Board: 1 (Incomplete)]

[Simulation Zone]

'Hmm...' Ashton pursed his lips and began inspecting the details deeply. Like what was stated, it's been a while since he checked his Profile with much scrutiny. Who knows? Maybe something changed here and there that might give him some important clues.

The first few inspections were fine, nothing much to see really. Though now, since his Fey Bloodline is officially displayed on his Profile Page, additional information about it became available to him.

[Bloodline: Fey]

: A race beloved by the Heavens that once walked this very world. The Fey Race is considered the Darling of Heavens, even more so than humans, some tales even said that Humanity was modeled after this race.m

: Their history is a long and glorious one, due to their natural inclination towards Mana and Laws, they were able to prosper and their glory expanded through many eons. It is even rumored that they were able to expand their influence beyond this world.

: Details about their extinction are unknown. Some say that it's the natural decline caused by the relentless siege of time while others told stories about how they incited the envy, and in extension; the wrath, of other races who banded together to eradicate them.

: But, even as they faded from existence, traces of their glory persisted in the present time. You, who awakened this bloodline, are not yet strong enough to know more. In time, you will...

Ashton couldn't help but raise a brow. He ran his hand on his still relatively bald head and sighed.

'Ey, no need to stress myself out over this. If I'm not strong enough to know, then I won't know. It's as simple as that.' He stated inwardly.

His gaze then moved down and checked his Aptitude, trying to see if there were anything note-worthy here.

Well, his Mageroot: Mysterious Rainbow, is still mysterious. And Magical Artifact and Providence just compiled the recent updates it had due to the elevation of his strength.

[Magical Artifact: Cursed Book of Infinity (Legendary)]

Unique Skills:

[Aspect of Infinity] - Removes the lock of Spell Proficiency Limits per Cultivation Rank. (Spells Level Infinitely)

,m [Mortal Reminder (Sub-artifact)] - firearms that can change forms. Current forms available: 4. This sub-artifact can also be used as Spell Medium.

[Memorize] - A skill that allows the User to Memorize a total of 10 Spells. Activating this Spell will instantly cast all Memorized Spells without any additional Mana Cost.

[Right Eye of Purity] - An ocular technique that allows the User to neutralize any ill intent directed at them. Can be used 3 times per day. (Synergy with 『Purity』Trait: Locked until the formation of 2nd Virtue

Curse: [Hex of Mediocrity]

Forbids the user to learn any Intermediate Level Offensive Spells and above.

[Providence: Fey Emperor's Blessings (Grade-???)]

: You have been blessed by the Fey Emperor, granting you numerous benefits such as;

[Fey Bloodline] - Increases the effects of Blessings below depending on the bloodline's purity and potency.

[Focused Mind] - The rate of failure for your Spellcasting is abysmally low.

[Fey Emperor's Majesty] - increases your beauty and charm, raises your Physical Strength, and greatly increases your familiarity with Mana. (Synergizes with 『Child of Mana』Title.)

[Darling of Elements] - boosts the effectiveness of any elemental-based spell.

[Empyrean] - Affinity towards Laws greatly increased.

Just as he expected, there was indeed new information added to them. The details of his Profile Page have expanded due to the recent changes in himself.

'Such as shame for the 'Darling of Elements' though...' Ashton lamented, 'Can't utilize it properly because of the damned curse.'

It is indeed a shame...and that curse is to blame for everything.

Initially, Ashton thought that he'd be able to learn even the weakest Fireball Spell, unfortunately, he couldn't since 'apparently' that's considered an Intermediate Level Spell.

The true Basic Level Spells are ones made out of Pure Mana such as Mana Bolt, Stun Bolt, Force Push, etc.

Pure Element Based Spells are considered as Intermediate Level Spells in this world so that means no Fireball, no Aqua Orb, Ice Shard, Wind Blade, or anything of sorts for him. Such a shame really, if could have even the weakest Element Based Spell, he could just Level it up to beyond the norm and he'd truly be unstoppable.

And White Mage, surprisingly, isn't a Pure Light Element Specialization either. It's more profound than that since it weaves not only light but Life Magic in it as well. So, the effects of the 'Darling of Elements' don't have many effects on it.

Well, he couldn't complain much. After all, he had other things in his arsenal that covers up his shortcomings, such as the Mortal Reminder and the Bone Scythe.

'But yo, that [Empyrean] thingy though.' Ashton clicked his tongue in wonder. 'How nice.'

Indeed. Having more affinity toward Laws is a good thing. This will make cultivation easier for him. Considering that has to condense 9 Virtues and refined each one a total of 9 times before he could even think about becoming a Sorcerer.

Aside from this, there's not much for Ashton to see that he hasn't seen before. The Grinding Slots are still working on the background, leveling up his spells to Lv.50 and above despite his dwindling amount of Mana Crystals.

His Inventory is still fat with so many resources than what he personally needed.

He now has a new Sign-in location which is steeped in History and Providence, which is the Grand Archives. So long as he continues signing in here, he'd receive more and more benefits compared to what he's getting outside or even at the Grand Library itself.

"Okay..." Ashton took a deep breath. He stretched his neck and walked towards the bookshelves of the Grand Archives.

Today is still his idle days, he doesn't plan on getting out to resume his journey just yet, he wants to relax for a bit and continue reading the rest of the books that he hasn't touched yet.

Rest is much needed. After all, his next location would be quite a conundrum for him.

'Ooh, speaking of which, I remember there is a map here. Let me check that out.' Ashton swerved into a different lane and began searching the bookshelves for the ones he was searching for.

After a brief scan of his sense, he found it. A smile reached his face as he read the title of the book:

[Outside World: The Forgotten Ancestral Lands]

The author of this book is called: Bruce Warner. He's one of the martyrized heroes but more importantly, he was a passionate cartographer who possessed a wanderlust unmatched by any.

His dream was to travel the entire world and map it out. He thought that this will be the biggest service he could ever do for his Race and more importantly, for himself.

Bruce was one of the few who were brave enough to walk the lands populated by danger itself. He endured loneliness, fatigue, and many things on his journey.

Despite that though, this madman did it. He indeed managed to travel the world and mapped it out completely.

Oh, yes! Bruce was also one of the 'expeditioners' in the records that Ashton was tracing back. Actually, Bruce was that same guy who manage to leave and return to Last Bastion, dying shortly after returning.

The records he read with Aria before were a cover-up story by the Morning Sun Federation under the strict orders of the Revenants.

The truth is, Bruce was the only one on this journey, he alone mapped out the world and returned to the Last Bastion. He only had enough time to discretely hand out the map to his most trusted friend before offering himself to the Revenants.

Bruce handed out three copies of his map. One was an incomplete one that was publicized; the one that Ashton and Aria used as a reference. The 2nd one was a semi-complete one, which he revealed under the urging of the Revenants, which got destroyed because the Revenants will not allow Humanity to have such a thing.

And the third one, the complete map, ended-up here, unknown to the Revenants and for Ashton to use for his purposes.

Ashton flipped through the pages of the map and saw the route he was in. Seeing it with his own eyes, the headache was starting to form now. The next area that he has to pass through was particularly troublesome.

'Chaotic Warzone.'