Chapter 7: Memories Carved into the Heart of the Mountain's Stones (1)

  "Year 134: I finally did it! I broke through the first major capacity barrier! My core is now Level 10! But I’ve realized that with each breakthrough, the duration of my evolutionary sleep grows longer. The early stages were quick and easy, but in the future, everything might change..."

  "Year 162: I’ve been searching for my innate abilities for a long time. A few days ago, for the first time, I managed to give magic a specific form and nature—my first spell: Fire Magic. Yet, something strange happened.

  When I conjured those first sparks and set my pale hands ablaze, my body and soul trembled uncontrollably. An indescribable fear seized me, paralyzing me with terror.

  It was just simple fire magic! The flames couldn’t harm me—so why was I afraid? Was there even a reason? Perhaps, deep down, I’m still human, and some primal instinct recoils from it. I should rest… Maybe that will help."

  "Year 228: I’ve mastered Water Magic! This truly made me happy and rekindled hope in my heart. Loneliness after all this time is agonizing… so agonizing… Now, even these small progressions bring me joy.

  Mana-created water isn’t comparable to real water—just like my fire. There’s no oxygen here to sustain combustion, yet Fire Magic still works. Magic can mimic the nature, state, or reactions of phenomena, embodying their traits… but it can never replicate the stability or efficiency of the real thing."

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  "Year 265: I’ve acquired Ice Magic..."

  "Year 296: I’ve discovered Light Magic..."

  "Year 358: I’ve finally reached Level 15. The time between breakthroughs has grown drastically—each evolutionary sleep now lasts around forty years..."

  "Year 479: I’ve created Dark Magic..."

  "Year 643: Molten Magic..."

  "Year 843: I’ve obtained Explosion Magic! Yet, oddly, I felt fear and stress… This sensation is too familiar—exactly like when I first wielded Fire Magic. What is this dread? It’s not normal! Could it be tied to my forgotten past? I don’t know… I know nothing..."

  "Year 1023: I’ve reached Level 20… But during my evolutionary sleep, I saw blurred faces and heard whispers. A hospital… a burning bed… smoke and the stench of charred flesh… Why did I forget this? It’s all so hazy—I can’t even recall their voices. What does it mean? My past? Or just a nightmare? I hate these unanswered questions… Why do I always forget?"

  "Year 1243: Another meteor shower occurred. This time, thanks to my magical knowledge, I understood the nature of the meteors and celestial bodies. By expanding my awareness, I developed a new spell—Meteor Magic!"

  "Year 1455: Today, several volcanoes erupted, followed by massive earthquakes. Inspired by these phenomena, I experimented and succeeded! I’ve acquired Earth and Quake Magic!"

  "Year 2023: I’ve reached Level 27..."

  "Year 2308: A few days ago, I found a lake! But it wasn’t water—it was acid… Drawing inspiration from it, I created Acid Magic! And if I can wield acid, shouldn’t I also devise its counter?"

  "Year 2345: I’ve developed Alkali Magic… Though I’m not sure what use it has..."

  "Year 2708: I’m so tired… Tired of solitude… I can only talk to myself… No one else… Just loneliness..."

  "Year 3067: I’ve created Wind Magic… What’s even the point of writing these? I’m still alone! I’m losing my mind!..."

  "Year 3709: I fear if I stop writing these simple words, I’ll go completely insane..."

  Time eroded Primer’s human mind. Unnoticed, his psyche began to shift and evolve. Though he’d lost his human body, it seemed his inner essence wouldn’t remain unchanged either...