[Creative Award 2025 Entry] Infinite Magic Power but Can't Use Magic!? The Birth of the Strongest Physical Sage!! [Chapter 4]

This is a continuation from the previous work.

If you haven't read it yet, I recommend starting from Chapter 1.

Chapter 4: The Sealed Door and the Lost Wisdom

In front of the shrine before the dawn broke.

Ray stared at the stone tablet in his hands. A pale, bluish-white light pulsed across its gray surface.

"This indentation... it's definitely for fitting the stone tablet, isn't it?"

Filia pointed to the stone monument in the center of the shrine. There was a square-cut depression that matched the shape of the tablet Ray was holding.

"Shall we try it?"

Ray gently inserted the stone tablet.

--Click.

With a low sound, the ground trembled slightly.

"Get back!"

Responding to Filia's voice, Ray leaped backward.

The next moment, the floor of the shrine slowly split open, revealing a stone staircase.

Beyond it lay darkness.

However, from deep within that darkness, a faint light and ancient magic power drifted out.

◇ ◇ ◇

As they descended the stairs, the air changed completely.

The air was heavy. Fine magic particles drifted about, as if the space itself were rejecting magic.

...The flow of magic is strange. It doesn't seem like normal magic can be activated here.

Filia intensified her vigilance.

Ray nodded silently. If magic wouldn't work, his power of 'physical conversion' would be the key—he had that intuition.

Before long, they emerged into a wide hall at the end of the corridor.

The high-ceilinged space was filled with pillars that looked like magical devices and floors covered in geometric patterns.

In the center, a translucent figure emerged.

...Who are you?

As Ray braced himself, the phantom opened its mouth.

Are you one who possesses the aptitude for 'conversion'—

Eh...?

I am Magius Celesion. One who sought the truth in the past, and one who sealed the truth.

The voice was faint and somewhat mechanical, yet it conveyed a bottomless intelligence.

Conversion magic is different from normal magic. It is the art of converting magic power into 'mass' or 'motion.' If mastered, it becomes a power that transcends common sense.

But why... do I have that power...

Only the 'Land of Forbidden Books' knows that.

Having said that, the phantom slowly faded away.

All that remained was silence.

◇ ◇ ◇

At the back of the hall. Beyond the stone door they opened was the Room of Trials.

The air grew tense, and the magic circle embedded in the floor began to glow faintly.

Thump... thump... a sound like something awakening echoed.

There, a giant humanoid magic statue slowly stood up.

Its total height easily exceeded three meters. Its armor-like outer shell was dyed a dull black, and its gaze was an inorganic blue.

Its name was "Gravis Guardian".

"Ah, it activated...!"

Filia raised a voice of caution, but immediately after—the magic statue, without a word, thrust its fist toward Filia.

"Filia!!"

Ray ran.

With all his might.

He converted the magic power in his entire body into energy for "acceleration".

A sound like the air splitting echoed—!

"Ugh...!"

Ray slid in front of Filia and caught the magic statue's fist with his shoulder.

—A roar.

A blow that didn't match its massive body. The impact caused the floor to crack.

However, Ray endured it.

"Are you... alright, Filia!"

"Yes... thank you, Ray...!"

Filia retreated while staring into his eyes.

I can't fight right now, but...! I will definitely support you!

Leave it to me!

Ray tightened his grip and channeled his magic power.

Convert. Magic power into muscle strength. Into speed. Into hardness.

And then, he ran.

Toward the blind spot of the Gravis Guardian—its side.

However, the magic statue was not just a machine. Reacting to Ray's movement, it swung its arm up again.

At that moment, Ray slid across the ground to evade—

There it is!!!

He thrust his fist into the magic statue's chest, pouring all his strength into the blow!

—It shattered.

With a dull thud, the magic statue's chest caved in, exposing the magic core inside.

Ray delivered the final blow.

Converting all his magic power into 'destruction'—!

The Gravis Guardian let out a creak like a death rattle and slowly collapsed.

From beyond the dust, Ray's ragged breathing could be heard.

Even so, he smiled.

...With this, I've proven it. That my power isn't just an 'anomaly'.

Yeah. The power you have now is something you can be proud of.

Philia smiled and gently held out her hand.

Ray gripped it back firmly.

◇ ◇ ◇

At the back of the room stood a massive obsidian stele.

The words carved into it shook their hearts deeply.

At the same time as those words appeared, the wall of the room shifted slightly.

A small mechanism appeared, and as if a seal were being broken,a new stone tabletrevealed itself.

It was similar in shape to the previous one, but more intricate magical patterns were carved into it.

“This is... the ‘next’ key...”

Ray quietly picked it up.

“‘Complete power’... just how far do I have to go to reach it?”

“But I know you can make it. Because I believe in you.”

Philia’s words pushed Ray forward.

This power was still incomplete.

Yet, it was certainly beginning to connect to the depths of the world.

And that door was now—about to open.

Conclusion

What did you think?

This time, I included a scene that feels like a boss battle.

As I wrote last time, Ray hasn't fully grasped his own power yet, so I haven't included any specific technique names.

For now, he is at the stage of managing somehow with a "nameless technique" of partial physical enhancement.

I plan to introduce technique names and magic names as Ray grows.

If you have any thoughts, please feel free to leave a comment.

I want to make this work better with your valuable feedback.

Thank you for your support😸

[Click here for the continuation]