Conceptual Magic
Edward looked at the title description and reward and felt it was underwhelming; he thought they should have given something better, given how grand the description sounded.
'Huh?" he muttered as he looked at the description of "bending certain rules of reality to their whim,' thinking of something.
"So, Conceptual Magic is a lesser form of Reality Warping? Then, why not try to become a reality warper?" Edward was sure there was some world out there that made it easier to become one of the devastating Reality Warpers like Max Faraday.
He's a comic character Edward once read about. He was nothing but an ordinary person but accidentally downloaded something on his computer called the Creation Equation. After reading it, he gained the power to alter reality to his whim. In front of someone like Max, Edward guessed even Tier 11 Entities like Truth would be nothing but a joke.
"Reality Warpers are broken. I should look into them."
Edward accessed the record and searched for information about reality warpers and if there was a connection with Conceptual Magic.
'So, that's how it is,' he muttered with some understanding. Ninety-nine percent of Reality Warpers are limited by the universe they are from. As such, if they travel to another universe, they lose their omnipotent power. However, Conceptual Magic can be used in most universes as long as a mage's Willpower reaches eight and can be used in every universe once it reaches 10. Furthermore, Archmage can use their conceptual magic to fight reality warpers and acquire some level of immunity.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. Some of the reality warpers are as omnipotent in any universe. And the ones who used Chaos or Eldritch Magic, like Wanda Maximoff, can also bend reality anywhere.
Furthermore, Tier 12 Powerhouses are immune to most reality warping.
"That makes sense. Otherwise, Conceptual Magic is not as important as I believed it to be," commented Edward before preparing to see what benefit his increased authority level granted him.
"Hahahaha."
He suddenly heard a burst of familiar laughter and closed the screen before him. He saw an old man looking at him with a brilliant smile.
"You've achieved Conceptual Magic so soon? I thought it would take longer," said Old Man Merline with a smile. "And you only did in Tier 8. Not bad, not bad."
"You seem too happy."
"I was tired of the other old guys always talking about how great their disciples were. Now, I can finally brag my disciple is as good as them–if not better."
Merlin seemed to think about something and laughed again. "Besides that guy Toussaint, no one can laugh at me again."
"Tousaint?"
"Toussanit Louverture."
"The Haitian general that led their rebellion in the 1700s?" he asked after searching his memories of Earth's history.
"Yes, him. After his death, he was chosen to reincarnate from Primordial Earth into a world of magic. He rose from the bottom to my level. And his disciple is another monster, acquiring Conceptual Magic at only Tier 7."
'Toussaint, Salomon, and the old man: that's the three big shots I know,' thought Edward, not caring about someone being better than him; he was never arrogant to believe he was the best–especially when he knew how vast the Omniverse was.
. "Is it hard to acquire conceptual magic?"
"Willpower is a unique attribute in this universe, hence the reason that even Tier 10 entities will only have a scale of 2. Most people will only develop conceptual magic after Tier 12 and even higher. However, some genius can get it in Tier 10, and only the golden generation will acquire it in Tier 9 and 8."
Edward pondered for a while and felt when Merlin talked about the universe; he was referring to the Omniverse, not just one universe. Furthermore, there might be some bigger secret behind the Willpower attribute.
"What's the golden generation?"
"Basically, they are a few of my peers' talented disciples that underwent extreme and cruel training."
"Am I a part of the golden generation?"
"No, but if you want, I can put you in the program."
"No, thanks."
"Good, I didn't want to send you anyway."
Edward ignored this old man's eccentricities as he was used to them. "Why?"
"They are too extreme, so I don't like them."
"Extreme?"
"Yes, even compared to you, they are too extreme."
Edward did not know what to say. Although he always considered himself Neutral Evil, he knew many of his actions were simply villainous and irreprehensible. But Merlin described these people as extreme compared to him, so he could not imagine how bad they were.
More importantly, why were these horrifying bosses training their disciples to be like this?"
"Don't think too much," said Merlin. "However, be prepared. After you reach Tier 12, I will give you some missions, and you might have to interact with them. And as you reach higher Tiers, I will send you to the battlefield."
Edward nodded before asking another question, "Is conceptual magic so important?"
"To reach my level, control of the rules is required. So, the earlier you contact them, the more advantage you will have in the future."
"I understand." Edward read a few Chinese light novels in his youth and could understand the concept.
"Okay, I have to leave," said Merline. "Kid, I'm proud of what you've done. But you must begin challenging yourself, travel to higher worlds, and face perilous situations."
"I will."
"You must also do the same for your family," he added. "Since you don't want to be powerless in the upcoming chaos, they must train them appropriately. And you also need to train your mind for the possibility of losing them."
Edward's pupils dilated as he squinted.
"That's all I have to say." Merlin disappeared as if he was never here. For the next half hour, Edward did not speak as he was lost in his thoughts.
"Morgana."
"Boss?"
"Design an illusion for me where I lose my family. The parameters are no matter what I do, I cannot save nor revive them."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Okay, but when you say family, do you mean one person or all of them?"
"All of them, one by one."
"Master, are you really sure this is a good idea?" He knew his boss's feelings about his family since they were his anchor. If he lost them, he would lose his mind. Even if it's an illusion, it could negatively affect his mind and soul.
"Do it."
"Alright." Morgan agreed, but she will also take time to place some safety measures in case something goes wrong.
Edward returned to what he was doing, checking the Akashic Record.
[Name: Edward Bones (Christian Stuart)
Origin: Primordial Earth
Gift: Eidetic Memory, Extreme Magic Affinity, Limited Cosmic Awareness
Willpower: 8
Mentor: Sir Merlin
Current Residence: Universe #127490374 (HP Universe)
"Authority Level: 2
Age: 932
Rank: Tier 8 Solar System, Legendary Arcanist
Titles: Arcane Emperor, Civilization Creator, Sage of Wisdom, Divine Artificer, Pathfinder, Dark Explorer, Voyager, Wizard King, and Archmage.]
After checking, Edward learned the price of knowledge would decrease by 5% with his authority level. Furthermore, he had access to certain knowledge that he previously did not. Moreover, the Akashic Record has a mission list for its members to increase their mission points.
Now, the number of missions had drastically increased, allowing him to analyze and deduce more information about the record.
Edward immediately did not care about these rewards after seeing the last one: he can recommend two people to the records. And after passing a trial, they can also join.
"Now, I don't have to search for the tokens or do these missions."
The only other way he knew to join the record was to find one of the tokens they leave in certain worlds for people with a destiny connection to the record. The other is to accomplish numerous missions to raise the level.
'The issue is who gets these two spots.' He wanted his wives to take advantage of the Title system to better themselves. He decided to let them decide.
Edward then used the search function and typed something:
Lord God.