Magic

Chapter 235: Magic

Magic was a product that defied matter and science. It was the source of all unspeakable energy. Likewise, it had no clearly defined properties, but it always brought corresponding consequences.

These were truths Zhang Ye had long understood, yet he still could not figure out why the Darkhold was completely blank before him. It looked like a picture book; no one would associate this thing with the legendary Darkhold.

If you mean the Darkhold left behind by the ancient demon god, the progenitor of Black Magic, then there is no need to doubt it. The one in your hand is genuine.

Miss Minutes tilted to one side and answered. She did not know what magic was, but that did not prevent her from comparing archival records from different universes.

From her perspective, the Darkhold had all kinds of "copies" throughout countless Multiverses. As long as these things shared the same origin and contained the corresponding energy, then they were considered "genuine."

At least, that was how it worked in this universe.

"Then that’s strange. If it’s genuine, why did it become like this once it reached my hands? I examined it with all kinds of magic, including telepathy and abstract projection. This thing is no different from an ordinary book."

Zhang Ye rubbed his temples. After studying the Darkhold for so long, his initial excitement had gradually turned into disappointment. If the Darkhold could not provide him with powerful magic, then it was completely meaningless.

Perhaps we could try burning it. Many magical things require specific conditions to activate. The Darkhold might have a corresponding activation method as well.

"What a ‘great idea.’ Last time, you suggested soaking the Darkhold in water. It took me an entire afternoon to dry the damn thing, and there are still water stains and dried wrinkles on the pages."

Zhang Ye shook his head speechlessly and said with a bitter smile, "I have no doubt this piece of junk would turn into a pile of ashes with a single fire, because there isn’t any magical residue left on it now!"

"Do you know what this reminds me of?"

Have you been blacklisted by another Dimension Lord?

Zhang Ye’s expression froze.

Then the corner of his mouth twitched, and he silently nodded. "…That’s not wrong, but I think you could phrase it as, ‘Another kind of magic has lost its power before me.’ At least that would make me sound more mysterious and powerful."

Please forgive my rudeness, sir. I did not mean to bring up your painful memories.

Miss Minutes jumped onto the bed, crossing her hands with a somewhat uneasy expression.

However, the Time Twister’s records regarding magic are incomplete. I can only barely piece together some rules concerning "magic" from old backups and fragments. After all, as you know, the only universe we recorded did not possess a power like magic.

"I understand. That’s why I find it even harder to comprehend. What exactly is magic to me? Something similar happened when I connected to the Hell Dimension in the previous universe."

Zhang Ye recalled the time he had spent with John, Dracula’s avatar, as well as his conversation with Mephisto.

"Mephisto did not even know who I was. I had never come into contact with the Hell Dimension before, yet the Hell Dimensions still instinctively rejected me. They even refused to open their gates to me. Even the Beholder’s servants failed to descend because I was present!

"Do you know what that means, ma’am? I feel like there is some kind of power on me, but I don’t know where it comes from. It could be information, a mark, or an ID. Whatever it is, it makes everything related to magic instinctively reject me."

According to the records, magic was widespread throughout the Multiverse. However, nearly one-fifth of all worlds did not possess this wondrous power. In worlds where magic existed, spells, gestures, and sacrifices were the foundation for communicating with it.

Miss Minutes came to Zhang Ye’s side, patted his arm, and continued.

If there is a kind of energy that looks like magic, is used like magic, and is called magic by you, then without question, it is magic.

I think that if you truly had a so-called "anti-magic constitution," then there would be no chance for you to come into contact with magic in your entire life.

But aren’t you still using "magic" as your primary power now?

Hmm.

That made some sense.

Zhang Ye raised his palm. He could clearly feel magic power flowing through his body. Slowly, that power emerged in his palm, transforming into one tiny blooming firework after another.

"You’re right. Since I can use magic, then there is no possibility that my body rejects magic. But that makes it even harder to explain why those dimensions reject me when I can clearly receive power from them."

Not exactly.

Miss Minutes raised one finger and wagged it, then spoke seriously.

Strictly speaking, the two enormous powers you received before did not come from the Hell Dimension. Do you remember the demon soul fragments that were stuffed into your body? The energy you gained then was entirely demon power from two different dimensions within the Hell Dimension.

"You mean…"

Zhang Ye felt as though he had found a clue. "From the very beginning, I was unable to come into contact with those dimensions. My magic only came from my own cultivation and from what I absorbed from other creatures?"

You could say that. At least, aside from using the Time Twister to convert recorded universe energy, the sources of the power you use are all gained through your own cultivation or through devouring.

At that moment, Zhang Ye suddenly felt enlightened.

"You’re right. All of my magic comes from myself. Only the magic energy I personally cultivate or strip from other creatures can be used by me. That should also explain why the ‘magical products’ I come into contact with turn ordinary."

Zhang Ye stopped the firework display in his palm, then clenched his fist and revealed a relieved smile.

"Because I am not from the Marvel Universe. That is the reason for everything. The magical origins of these universes cannot define my existence, so they shut me out. But they cannot stop me from using these wondrous powers."

Seeing Zhang Ye brighten up again, Miss Minutes smiled as well.

From her perspective, countless dark and murky things filled the space around Zhang Ye. They flickered continuously like television static, darting about all around him.

Miss Minutes did not know what these things were, but she knew that every tiny pixel square within those constantly trembling, blurred, and unevenly colored frames contained information pollution enough to drive every living being in an entire universe insane.

Yet at this moment, all those things lay quietly at Zhang Ye’s side. Like obedient loyal dogs, they acted according to Zhang Ye’s thoughts.

In Miss Minutes’s understanding, she had never dealt with such things before. Yet the information pollution and energy mixed within them filled her with instinctive fear and oppression.

At first, she did not know what these things were called.

But now she did.

Because Zhang Ye had told her their name was magic.

So it—was magic.