After a 200-win streak, each subsequent win grants a permanent +1 bonus to the points earned per victory, until the streak is broken.

In other words, with a 300-win streak, a single victory would be worth 120 points.

That’s equivalent to winning 120 matches without a streak.

’Sigh, repeating the same thing two hundred times really is boring.’

He did run into the fifth and sixth-ranked players along the way.

But unfortunately...

Much like Monsier, they were complete pushovers.

They couldn’t even survive my 10-Gold-Coin Alchemy Bomb and 20-Gold-Coin Bone-Eroding Poison...

They didn’t even get to see my Magic.

However, the hundreds of "live combat training" sessions had allowed Lu Cang to familiarize himself completely with the new items he’d bought.

He should be able to use them quite well in actual combat from now on.

Given Lu Cang’s cautious personality...

He insisted on rehearsing even the use of his items.

’Come to think of it... these Magic Tools also contain the principles of Magic.’

’Although they aren’t entirely Magic, they are inextricably linked.’

’The expression of the Root Source might not be limited to just Magic.’

’Perhaps the Root Source should encompass all things...’

’Does that mean all methods, all things, can lead to the Root Source?’

Lu Cang was filled with doubt, yet at the same time, a clearer answer seemed to emerge.

Lu Cang continued to fight, pondering these questions.

In the next few dozen battles, Lu Cang tried using melee combat and Weapons to defeat his opponents.

It was certainly a lot more trouble.

But to his opponents, it was even more bizarre.

They would slash at Lu Cang, only for it to feel like striking a city wall—his body wouldn’t even budge.

And this inexplicable Mage insisted on fighting them in close combat with a poisoned Dagger.

’What the hell?’

’Is this guy insane?’

But the poison on his Dagger was terrifyingly potent. A single scratch left them powerless as their body began to rot.

’Shit... Was that poison from a Tier Four King Level Demon?’

’You’re using that kind of poison to fight a Level 2 Warrior like me in a face-to-face melee duel?’

...

298-win streak.

Lu Cang felt he had learned quite a few melee Skills. Even without the Warrior Profession, he could now execute many of a Warrior’s moves.

Under the effects of a Power Potion, he could trade dozens of blows with a Warrior of the same level.

Unfortunately, without having learned any Battle Styles, he still couldn’t defeat them in a pure melee duel.

As for bows...

Lu Cang tried using one, but he didn’t even know how to aim.

’It seems having the corresponding Profession is really important.’

Lu Cang was quite interested in the Puppet Master Secret Scroll he’d bought today; he just wasn’t sure if he’d get a chance to take it on as a secondary Profession. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

[Matching...]

Just two more wins to go for the 300-win-streak reward: the Spring of Origin.

The matchmaking this time was taking an exceptionally long while.

Lu Cang wasn’t in a hurry. Instead, he sat in the center of the arena, quietly contemplating the Root Source.

He’d also gained many insights from yesterday’s battle against the Nation Destruction Level Demon in the Dungeon.

Today, he had bought so many new gadgets and experienced countless Scrolls, Potions, and other pieces of equipment.

All these realizations were now fueling his contemplation of the Root Source.

’Thoughts on the Root Source can differ, but each can form its own complete, self-contained philosophy.’

’Even two completely opposing schools of thought can manifest as valid paths to the Root Source.’

’It’s a paradox. Why is it allowed to be valid?’

Theoretical knowledge from Earth flashed through Lu Cang’s mind.

On Earth, theory states that Light has wave-particle duality.

It is both a wave... and a particle.

’Could the Root Source in this world be the same... both this and that?’

’The foundation of all things, All Transformations, the Source of All Laws...’

’Does this mean that the Root Source itself represents all things, and by contemplating all things, I am also contemplating the Root Source?’

Lu Cang’s train of thought drifted.

He thought of the concept of Dao from China.

One begets Two, Two begets Three, and Three begets the ten thousand things...

His thoughts then drifted further, to the universe of his previous life. Perhaps everything originated from a single point.

’Perhaps no matter which path I take, they all lead to the Root Source.’

’Death Spells, Magic, Life Techniques, the soul, Magic Tools, Enchantment...’

’My Root Magic...’

Lu Cang felt an inspiration on the verge of breakthrough.

A profound realization dawned on him. The Magic Power around him stirred on its own, forming countless Elements while simultaneously seeming to conjure illusory phantoms of everything in sight.

But at that very moment, a notification appeared in his mind.

[Match Successful]

[Your Opponent: Atelindo]

’Damn... Of all the times to have a breakthrough.’

Lu Cang didn’t stop his train of thought, continuing to delve deeper into the inspiration that had just struck.

His opponent appeared in the arena, only to see Lu Cang sitting motionless in the center.

His small frame.

Yet an unidentifiable aura churned around him.

"Lu Cang."

He frowned as he saw the name before him.

Ranked second—Lu Cang.

wins, 0 losses.

The mysterious person who had been a nobody before, yet had suddenly shot up to second place in a single afternoon.

Atelindo had spent nearly all his time in the arena recently.

He had indeed never heard of Lu Cang; after all, he didn’t read any news or pay attention to current events.

All he did day in and day out was fight, fight, fight.

This was his first time being matched against him, and he never expected... for him to be so small.

’Could he be a halfling, or a Dwarf?’

’Why is he sitting like that? He doesn’t look like he’s ready to fight.’

However, just as Atelindo was about to speak...

...the other person raised a slender finger to his lips.

"Shh."

[Countdown—1]

The battle had begun.

But Atelindo didn’t move.

Because Lu Cang, sitting in the middle of the arena, hadn’t moved either.

So, Atelindo crossed his arms, quietly watching to see what kind of trick Lu Cang had up his sleeve.

He desperately craved a hearty battle, but unfortunately, he couldn’t find a single worthy opponent among the Level 2 Professionals in the City in the Circle.

The only rival he had in the city before had already advanced to Level 3.

’I feel like I’m just one step away from grasping the Supreme Extreme Intent...’

He desperately needed a true opponent and a battle that would set his blood boiling, allowing him to grasp that Extreme Intent at his very limit.

He didn’t want to be defeated simply by someone of a higher Level; he wanted an opponent of the same Level who could defeat him so thoroughly that he’d have no complaints.

He sat down as well, waiting right where he stood.

As he did, he saw the face beneath the hood.

’A delicate-featured young man... but isn’t he a bit too young?’

About five minutes passed before he saw Lu Cang stand up.

Atelindo looked straight into Lu Cang’s eyes and saw only profound depth.

Atelindo: "You were... comprehending Root Magic?"

Lu Cang replied calmly, "Yes. Thank you."

Lu Cang was naturally referring to the fact that his opponent had not disturbed him.

’He had just been thinking casually during the matchmaking period, not expecting inspiration to strike. Once he was deep in thought, he’d completely forgotten he was even in a match.’

Lu Cang sized up the man before him. This must be Atelindo, the number one Level 2 Professional in the City in the Circle.

He was an older man.

He looked to be in his thirties.

At this age, the vast majority of Reincarnators would have already reached Level 3, yet he was still at Level 2.

’He’s probably trying to comprehend a Warrior’s Battle Intent.’

Just as Mages contemplate the Root Source, Warriors must comprehend their own Extreme Battle Intent.

Atelindo’s voice was low. "You’re strong, kid."

Lu Cang nodded, his tone even. "I suppose I’m not weak."

"Did you grasp it?"

Lu Cang nodded. His aura was calm, but he didn’t speak.

While nodding in response, a Magic Staff appeared in Lu Cang’s hand.

Atelindo gripped his sword hilt with one hand, lowering into a stance to charge at Lu Cang.

"In other words, you’re a Root Mage now. I hope you can give me a satisfying battle."

"Here I come."

’He even gives a warning?’

’He’s surprisingly honorable.’

BANG!

Almost in the instant that thought flashed through Lu Cang’s mind, his opponent had already appeared in front of him.

’Oh—’

’So fast.’

’Completely different from the opponents I’ve faced before.’

’Rejection Wind Roar.’

’Protective Barrier.’

’Resistance Water Ring.’

’Giant Wave.’

...

BOOM!

The Wind Roar erupted as a barrier materialized around him.

A resilient Water Ring immediately slammed into him, enveloping him before continuing to shove outward.

A giant wave rose up, surging forward with the Water Ring!

"HAH!!"

"Unmoving Like a Mountain!"