Iya Continent: Card God

The year is 2332 in the new calendar.

Kingdom of Modly, County Sandel, City Sandel.

Three days have passed since Linta arrived in this city to remove the magic-suppressing ring.

The elf friend Shia heads to Hugo Academy in Belai, while the orc bear-man Pinecone and the aquatic fish-man Guaguaga journey together to the magical kingdom of Bino's Great Forest. The dwarf friend Jingon Copperhammer remains in Sandel City to forge weapons and armor, preparing for future revenge. He is a skilled craftsman, capable of creating equipment stronger than himself.

Linta chose to stay in Sandel City for an extended period, until the time was right before leaving.

For such a long period of time, a place to live was naturally needed. Ideally, it should be secluded, undisturbed, clean, convenient, and spacious enough. Bruce Stone, a goblin who had lived in the city for many years, easily found such a place for Linta. The rent was 300 copper coins a month, and it included a yard, kitchen, and attic. For some commoners, 300 copper coins might be a month's salary.

Linta was well aware of the price and ultimately agreed. It wasn't just because he had over 120 silver coins, giving him confidence. More importantly, he needed a place like this. He didn't want to bother the people nearby, nor did he want to be constantly disturbed.

The attic of the rented house is now filled with an abundance of magic.

The magic of heaven and earth was drawn in, floating and swirling like mist.

Linta was completely focused, his expression solemn.

The flowing magic coiled around Linta's entire body, like dragons and snakes, which was quite terrifying.

"Uh-huh!"

With a shout from Linta, his magical aura exploded and spread out. Linta sat on the attic floor, surrounded by swirling smoke and panting heavily.

“Drink…drink…”

As breathing gradually calmed, the entire attic became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Linta frowned as he looked at his palm, his body's meridians flowing with magical power, his blood surging. His palm faintly emitted an aura of magic—his own unique power.

The cultivation of magic is simply absorbing the magic power of heaven and earth into one's body and making it one's own. Afterward, the body can release its own magic power. This magic power, through various uses, can be transformed into ever-changing magical spells and techniques.

"no change."

Linta frowned and sighed.

Since first entering the low-level Bronze stage in his cultivation, he has not felt any progress or growth in the past three days.

This is unreasonable; it's different from the magical cultivation I've learned and understood.

A normal magic user will gradually gain magic power through absorption and cultivation. This continues until they feel their body has reached a bottleneck, preventing further magic power from entering. For example, the goblin stone master's body is already saturated with magic power, unable to attract any more. Any magic user will experience this feeling.

However, Lin Ta did not feel full. On the contrary, he felt that he could still absorb and cultivate.

However, strangely enough, there was a sense of repulsion between that magic and the magic I already possessed. They were incompatible with each other.

"why?"

"This doesn't make sense." Linta frowned, collapsing onto the attic floor in confusion.

My thoughts raced wildly as I pondered the truth behind it all.

My previous cultivation progressed very smoothly, almost unbelievably quickly. This led everyone to believe I was some kind of genius. Am I a genius? Of course not. My rapid cultivation was most likely related to the power of the cards.

No? It's not simply the power of cards; it could be mental power! The mental power that allows me to use cards makes my cultivation easier.

But this is easy, and it comes at a price!

"No way?" Linta opened her eyes, which had been closed, and stared wide-eyed.

A guess or idea formed in my mind.

My mental strength also has levels! Right now, my mental strength is probably at the low-level Bronze. Because of the influence of this power, I can easily acquire low-level Bronze magic.

I am different from all the cultivators on the entire continent of Iya now!

You must cultivate your mental strength in order to cultivate your magical power!

"Huh?" Linta was completely stunned and at a loss for what to do.

I doubt I could find another person like myself even if I searched through the entire history of the continent of Iya.

“Normal magic users don’t cultivate mental power, because it doesn’t really help with magic cultivation. But because of the influence of that strange card, I have to cultivate it, right?” Linta muttered to himself, a bitter look on his face.

Lin Ta knew that cultivating mental strength was essential for wielding powerful cards, as a strong enough mental strength resulted in greater divine power. He was aware of this and had considered cultivating it in his spare time.

However, there is one problem I still have to face.

How to cultivate? How to cultivate in a reasonable way?

Practicing in a haphazard, disjointed way is just a waste of time. It might even harm you and lead you astray.

But what can be done?

The continent of Eya is a world of magic, and magic is the source of everything. In this world, countless scriptures and traditions concerning the cultivation and absorption of magic can be found. But those concerning spiritual power are so rare that even the description "as rare as phoenix feathers" is not an exaggeration.

"This is troublesome..."

Linta sighed helplessly and kept scratching the back of his head.

"How about we ask someone?"

……

A blacksmith shop in Sandel.

"Dang! Dang! Dang!"

The shop was filled with a constant series of knocking and striking sounds, like thunder rolling down from the sky.

The furnace fire burns for twenty-four hours straight, scorching hot.

The dwarf, who had removed his outer garments to reveal bulging muscles, was relentlessly wielding a hammer, forging a piece of mithril stone from the Dela Mountains. It was a gift from the goblin stone as a token of gratitude.

The dwarf Jingon Bronzehammer intends to forge this stone into a hammer weapon to take revenge.

Forging the weapon itself isn't difficult; the real challenge lies in the enchanting process. The quality of a weapon depends not only on the basic materials and craftsmanship, but most importantly on enchanting. This involves drawing upon the magical power of heaven and earth, infusing the weapon with its essence. This process doesn't require exceptional skill from the forger or weapon refiner; rather, it demands a mystical, ineffable ability.

That's how Kim Gong's master, Master Ruo, taught him.

"when--!"

As the vibrating arm striking the copper fell, sparks flew, creating a dazzling spectacle.

"Phew!" Jin Gong stopped pounding and let out a long breath. Although his face was covered in sweat from the heat, he was extremely happy.

The basic shape of the hammer for forging weapons is now complete.

Jin Gong put down his tools and turned around to get a drink of water and rest.

"Huh? When did you get here, Linta?"

It was only then that Jingon realized that Linta had been behind him all along.

Linta smiled faintly and said, "Not long."

He's been here for half an hour, and I haven't dared to make a sound to disturb him. His focus and seriousness are unprecedented. It seems that at this moment, he is truly himself.

With someone like him, it wouldn't be surprising if he created any weapon in the future!