Chapter 20: The Meditation Method Chip

A sudden thought struck Hutson. "AI chipset, does the pocket watch contain any residual magic?"

"Detected: 4% magical energy. Marking it now. Would you like to absorb it?"

Hutson frowned. "That's odd. I remember absorbing all the magic from the watch before. Why is there 4% remaining?"

When AI Chip highlighted the magical energy, tiny blue specks flickered across the watch's baseplate—countless glowing dots shifting in an ever-changing pattern.

His eyes narrowed. "AI chipset, record the pattern of these lights. See if there's a cycle."

"Recording in progress…"

Hutson observed for a long time. There were exactly 1,000 points.

Every time the lights flashed, some of these points held magic, while others remained dim.

Each cycle produced a unique constellation of glowing dots.

"This has to mean something."

Anyone else in this world might have dismissed it as a curiosity.

But Hutson had learned cryptography in university. He recognized patterns, codes, and hidden messages when he saw them.

One hour later.

"Recording complete. One thousand unique patterns observed, cycling in sequence."

AI chipset had logged every configuration of the flickering dots.

Once the final cycle ended, the pattern reset, starting again from the first.

A thousand shifting diagrams appeared in Hutson's vision, arranged in a vast grid.

His mind worked rapidly.

"There must be a pattern… a message encoded within."

"AI chipset, apply the even-odd elimination method."

A technique he had learned in advanced cryptography—superimposing the diagrams while eliminating positions that appeared an even number of times, keeping only those that were odd.

This would distill the data into a single final image.

"Processing complete."

AI chipset generated the final merged pattern.

Hutson studied it.

"AI chipset, can this be traced as a single continuous line?"

"Affirmative. Generating an animation of the correct stroke order."

Before his eyes, the scattered points connected in a fluid, single-stroke path.

Hutson's pulse quickened. "I understand now."

"AI chipset, guide my magic through this path."

At present, Hutson still lacked the ability to channel magic on his own.

But AI chipset could act as a conduit.

Under its control, his internal magic surged forth, tracing the single-stroke pattern across the pocket watch's surface.

A luminous line of energy wove its way through the sequence, completing the intricate diagram.

The moment it finished—

A surge of information flooded Hutson's mind.

"Congratulations, traveler! You have solved my little puzzle."

"The fact that you cracked this code means you are observant, inquisitive, and possess a brilliant mind. These are qualities we value greatly."

"The Six-Ringed Tower welcomes a sorcerer of your caliber. Present this watch, and you shall be granted entry."

"As a token of recognition, I bestow upon you the Celestial Meditation Method—an exclusive technique of our order. Of course, if you already possess a superior method, use that instead. But even among great methods, there are always insights to gain."

"—Nicholas Carlos Camby, Year 1024 of the Radiant Calendar."

The Celestial Meditation Method imprinted itself into his consciousness—bypassing language entirely, embedding itself as direct knowledge.

As the information flowed into him, Hutson's understanding of magic expanded.

The meditation method described how sorcery was cultivated, along with fundamental truths about wizards.

Before reaching the status of a true sorcerer, all practitioners were known as apprentices.

The hierarchy of apprentice ranks was divided into:

First-Rank ApprenticeSecond-Rank ApprenticeThird-Rank Apprentice

Each stage required strict thresholds of mental strength, and only through a ritual could one ascend to the next rank.

The Second-Rank Ritual typically involved consuming special alchemical potions to push one's limits.

Though many meditation methods existed, all shared the same core principle—

A sorcerer absorbs ambient magical energy from their surroundings, refining it into their own power.

Only those who could perceive magic in the world possessed the innate talent to become sorcerers.

When Hutson first encountered "unknown radiation energy," AI chipset had identified his body as a perfect conduit for it.

At the time, he had no idea how to harness it.

He had simply let AI chipset handle the process.

Now, he understood.

A sorcerer's aptitude was determined by their ability to absorb and utilize magical energy.

The more efficient they were, the faster their progress.

Those with weak affinity struggled, trapped at the lowest apprentice level indefinitely.

Hutson had no way of measuring his own potential.

No standard to compare against.

"But there's no point worrying now. First, I need to attempt the Celestial Meditation Method."

This meditation method was unique.

Instead of internalizing abstract thoughts, the sorcerer gazed at the stars.

They would choose a single star, focus on it, and mentally manifest it within their mind.

To complete even one star's meditation was the gateway to becoming a First-Rank Apprentice.

But Celestial Meditation was limitless.

The more stars one could meditate upon, the stronger their mental power.

At higher levels, stars could form constellations, unlocking greater abilities.

But that was a problem for the future.

For now, Hutson needed to succeed with his first star.

Once accomplished, the star would become a wellspring of magic, allowing him to draw power from it in future meditations.

Hutson took a deep breath, opening his status in AI chipset.

Hutson Merlin:

Strength: 2.0Agility: 1.6Constitution: 2.2Mental Power: 2.5Mana: 55%

As he gazed upon the boundless night sky—

He knew.

This was just the beginning.

Hutson glanced at his status panel once more, a newfound clarity settling over him.

At last, he understood the true role of mental power.

If his body was a vessel for magic, then his mental power determined the size of that vessel.

The higher his mental strength, the greater his capacity to store and control magic. It influenced not just mana reserves, but also spellcasting speed and potency.

Hutson lifted his gaze to the endless night sky.

Countless stars stretched across the void—unfamiliar constellations, nothing like those from his past life.

He had no way of recognizing them, no ancient names to call upon.

But that didn't matter.

He only needed one.

His eyes locked onto a particularly bright and prominent star, standing larger than the others in the cosmic expanse.

He took a slow breath, steadying himself.

Then, he began.

Fixing his gaze upon the celestial beacon, he followed the Celestial Meditation Method, engraving its image into his mind.

The process was painstaking, requiring absolute focus and patience.

Hour after hour, he remained unmoving—his thoughts reaching out, attempting to etch the star into his consciousness.

By the time dawn's first light kissed the horizon, Hutson finally stirred.

He opened his eyes.

A phantom of the star lingered in his mind—a dim, incomplete silhouette.

Not yet fully formed.

Still, it was progress.

"If only I had Meteor Grass…" he murmured, exhaling in mild frustration.

Most meditation techniques had their own alchemy-based enhancements—herbs and potions designed to accelerate the process.

For Celestial Meditation, that catalyst was Meteor Grass—a rare plant that grew only where fallen stars had touched the earth.

Without it, progress would be slow, painstakingly so.

Hutson leaned back, watching the fading night sky.

No shortcuts, then.

If he wanted to unlock the path of sorcery, he would have to earn every step.