I Became the Priest of Blasphemy of the Outer Gods

Chapter 105. Outer Magic (1)

Perhaps this, too, was a revelation.

Of course, it could have merely been an idea that I conjured.

‘To begin with, it’s questionable if Hayat can directly grant me revelations, regardless of siding with me.’

Therefore, I decided not to dwell on it too deeply. What required consideration now was not this, but the outer magic.

“Lord Ethnos, I’ve brought all the spell theory tomes you requested.”

“Good, set them down there. Read over them and verify the contents.”

“Yes, Lord Ethnos.”

Outer magic was not a miracle. Hence, the characteristics related to miracles that I possessed did not apply.

‘If outer magic were to be affected by such characteristics…’

Even now, the firepower of the Black Flame, which I often used, was potent; if it became more powerful, it would certainly be impressive.

This applied not just to the Black Flame but to other forms of outer magic as well. However, this was impossible, or at least, that had been the thought up until now.

‘The existence of outer magic is extremely paradoxical.’

No matter how much magic can be freely manipulated and transformed by humans, its foundation is the miracle of the Demon God.

“In essence, outer magic is a technique derived from the miracle of the Demon God, supposedly replicating the miracles of an Outer God. But it doesn’t make any sense, does it?”

“Indeed. Magic brings about phenomena through formulas and calculations. It’s definitely not replication.”

Magic was mysterious, yet it had principles similar to science.

From relatively simple elemental magic to those manipulating dimensions, all had their formulas and calculations.

But they were not miracles. Magic required complex processes to invoke phenomena, whereas…

“Miracles occur just by praying, without all that. No one knows the principle behind them. Ultimately, magic can only create similar phenomena.”

Even if the results were the same, the processes were entirely different. Certain spells had slightly different outcomes because of this difference in process.

“Furthermore, the only reason we can understand the principles of magic is due to the Demon God being demoted to a demon king.”

Their status had literally fallen. This allowed humans to comprehend the principles and apply them accordingly.

“In the end, miracles that can be replicated or imitated through magic are limited to phenomena that can be analyzed and understood. So then, did the Black Flame undergo such a process?”

“The 〈Black Flame of Annihilation〉 doesn’t align with such levels. Creating a fire with magic and turning it black might look similar, but…”

I nodded.

“It’s not the same. It can’t even be explained. Yet, outer magic manages to replicate the miracles of an Outer God like magic. And it has never overlapped with known miracles of an Outer God.”

The miracle of the 【Eternal Blaze】 involved red flames, distinct from the Black Flame.

To begin with, while the Black Flame appeared to be fire, it was not fire in essence. I hadn’t encountered any outer magic connected to the miracles I wielded.

“However, certain outer magics have intersections with other Outer Gods. Do you know the characteristics of those Outer Gods?”

“They are Gods known only through oral tradition, having never manifested in this world.”

In other words, they were Gods who did not involve themselves in this world.

Although I had realized this earlier, I initially thought it was merely a tactic to avoid the wrath of an Outer God.

While that was part of the reason, it wasn’t the whole story. And all these elements pointed to a single conclusion.

“Outer magic is, in the end, a form of miracle. It covertly harnesses the power of Outer Gods who don’t interact with this world.”

The considerably minimal side effects might be due to the fact that the power isn’t directly granted by an Outer God, but borrowed bit by bit.

Sevika possibly deemed it blasphemous for this reason.

‘Other Gods would have reason to be angry. Should such acts provoke the Outer Gods into appearing, it would spell disaster.’

In that sense, a significant unseen risk existed. However, at least for the moment, there was no sign of that happening.

Perhaps it was crafted as outer magic, deviating somewhat from the traits of miracles, thereby reducing the risk of being caught. This was the aspect I needed to research and delve into.

‘Why outer magic, despite being a miracle, isn’t affected by my intrinsic characteristics. How it could exist, at least partially, independently as an outer magic distinct from miracles. I have to investigate these aspects.’

I began reading the spell theory tomes brought by Eldritch. The contents were immensely complex, but thanks to Eldritch’s explanations, I gradually understood them.

However, even after examining the spell theory tomes for three days, no noticeable results emerged.

My understanding of magic had increased, but when applying the theories to outer magic, much of it didn’t align.

“Lord Ethnos… You’ve been holed up in the room researching for three days without stepping outside. You haven’t even rested.”

Eventually, Eldritch advised me to take a break. In truth, I hadn’t rested at all, let alone slept.

“You know I don’t need sleep anymore.”

“You’re using transformation to make it unnecessary, right? Even that would consume some nutrients, yet you’re not eating properly.”

“I am consuming nutrients.”

Seeing Eldritch puzzled, I gestured toward the ivy growing by the window.

“What… in this world. Is that you, Lord Ethnos?”

I nodded nonchalantly.

There was a section in the theory involving plant-based magic; reading it, my understanding of plants had increased.

This allowed me, to some extent, to transform into a plant.

“While it isn’t very efficient, photosynthesis provides some nutritional supplement.”

Of course, it wasn’t sufficient. Yet, as long as I remained confined to the room, I could manage on just this.

Still, it was a moderately useful technique guaranteeing survival under desperate circumstances, so I was getting accustomed to using it.

“No wonder I thought the ivy was growing unusually…”

“I’ll have a proper meal when it’s time to take the elixir.”

Then, a considerable amount of nutrients would be required. And so, two more days passed.

The more magic theories I encountered, the more I realized the otherness of outer magic.

‘Magic theories alone are indeed insufficient.’

Analyzing outer magic was exceedingly challenging, and methods like using meditation to increase comprehension didn’t work.

Unlike miracles, outer magic had no concept of the prophet or the meaning of the first manifestation, being made through calculation.

‘I still have no grasp on the method of creation.’

Nevertheless, my research was not at a standstill. It was merely time to proceed to the next stage.

‘It’s time to use it.’

The Enlightenment of the Prophet. I drove the large syringe into my head.

The reason I didn’t use it from the beginning was that magical knowledge was still needed. Now that I’d accumulated enough basic knowledge, I could use it to analyze.

‘The structure of outer magic… It’s indeed there.’

As magic knowledge combined with the enlightenment given, theories began to establish themselves.

Methods for altering mana to resemble the essence of Outer God, ways to draw energy from the outer universe, among other things.

The study of outer magic continued, and finally, I succeeded in redefining it. I devised ways to transform outer magic to be closer to miracles.

‘Not yet. I won’t understand this formula after I withdraw the syringe.’

Knowledge of a foreign realm. Reviewing notes afterward would merely drain mind. So instead, I right then created new outer magic.

The transformation of existing outer magic. Only after jotting down two outer magics did I remove the syringe.

‘Urgh… Almost an hour, and it’s already dangerous.’

The moment I extracted the syringe, I felt as if the information in my mind was nearly being pulled out.

‘The syringe seemed to wiggle a bit… Tch, I’d better limit its use to 30 minutes.’

I decided to add more outer magic as time allowed, and for today, I was content with two. For the first time in a while, I gathered the vines and had a proper meal.

Having consumed nearly excessive amounts of nutrients, I borrowed a room with a safe seal from Cernun.

“Hmm… I just drink it, right?”

I drank the elixir in one go. From the moment it passed my throat, I could feel the powerful flow of mana around my neck. It felt as if blue mana was coursing through all my veins.

‘No sensation of a dantian…’

With a slight sense of regret, I focused on the inside of my body. From bone to muscle.

From blood vessels to the nervous system. A mystical flow of power began gathering in my heart.

‘It’s coming.’

It felt as though my heart was gradually transforming into a blue jewel. Each time it beat, mana spread throughout my body.

Lub-dub… Lub-dub…

Gradually, the transformation and flow subsided. The stabilization was beginning.

‘… Is it over?’

I opened the previously closed eyes and checked the back of my hand.

「19」

The elixir had indeed applied successfully.

‘Let’s take a look.’

I took out the character sheet. My mind had slightly diminished due to outer magic research, but the trait slot had been properly updated.

‘〈Heart of the Aquamarine〉. The effect is just as Cernun described.’

I smiled with satisfaction. Now, there would be no worries about mana shortages in the future. As an Outer God priest, given the disadvantage of mana consumption, this was a significant enhancement. I exited with a smile but found, contrary to my expectation, that two additional days had already passed. Evidently, the elixir wasn’t to be taken lightly.

“Are you finished with your preparations?”

Eldritch stood waiting outside, having awaited my awakening from when, I didn’t quite know.

“The archmage stated tomorrow would be the earliest possible, or otherwise, two months hence.”

“Tomorrow is doable, so it’s not an issue. Preparations are complete.”

“Then, I will convey that message.”

Leaving the communication to Eldritch, I proceeded with the pre-duel tests.

Ensuring smooth use of outer magic, verifying minimal side effects, and afterward utilizing the Enlightenment of the Prophet to successfully refine two more outer magics.

‘I might eventually create my own Necronomicon at this rate.’

I didn’t find the idea entirely disagreeable. While I understood why many were against the idea of outer magic, I found it more appealing. It was an act of defying the Gods rather than relying on them.

‘I wonder how effective the outer magic would be against a 5th-ranking opponent.’

Furthermore, the opportunity to ascertain the extent of the restrictions experienced by the 5th rank had arrived.

At the appointed time, I stood in the magic duel field prepared underground at Academia, a vast space the size of a football field, with all sorts of protective magics cast on the walls and ceiling.

“Looks like you’re ready.”

Cernun, who had come down earlier and been waiting, addressed me.

It seemed he had been busy attending to matters even in this place, as he waved his hand to store away the parchment he had been working on into subspace.

“I’ll concede the first move. After all, the aim is to test your outer magic.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Cernun and I maintained a suitable distance between us.

“Here I go.”

I formed a seal in front of my chest. A simple motion with the index and middle fingers of both hands crossed in an X shape.

Unlike previous outer magics, the newly refined outer magic required a seal. It did away with incantations altogether.

“Annihilation’s Black Flame.”

A starlike shimmer emerged in front of my sealed hands. The starlight rapidly expanded, filling the dueling arena.

“What in the world—”

Everywhere was enveloped in pitch-black Black Flame.