I FOUND A DOOR TO TENSURA AND BECAME BROKEN IN THE REAL WORLD TOO-Chapter 25: The Sage’s Legacy: A Path to Power and Humanity

"S-sage..."

I stared in disbelief at the book in my hand. The weight of the moment pressed heavily on my chest. The sage described in this book... was undoubtedly the former landlord of the house I'd been using in this world. The very person whose weapons, armor, and countless materials I had relied on to survive. Without the sage's barrier protecting the house, I would have been devoured the moment I stepped foot into this dangerous world.

I owed him everything.

And now, here I was, holding his book—his final words.

Swallowing down my swirling emotions, I opened the book with trembling hands. My eyes scanned the faded ink as the sage's voice echoed from beyond the grave.

**"Well...I know this is sudden, but let's talk about the past. It's my past. I know it's boring but listen to me.

──I could do anything. Yes, ever since I was born... There was nothing I couldn't do. Magic, swordsmanship, cooking, singing, painting, blacksmithing... I could really do everything in this world. And I had the power to master it, too.

As a result, I stepped into 'God's realm' while I was alive.

It was one of my few astonishing events; the gods encouraged me to become a god directly.

Well, the other people would have gladly accepted it. After all, if you agree, you will be able to join the divinity and gain immortality. Before this, even if I could revive the dead, I could become an immortal. But... I refused. Those around me were surprised, and some scolded me for being arrogant. But I still refused."**

I froze.

The sage had reached the realm of the divine... and refused it?

I continued reading, fascinated by his words.

**"I've talked about this at length, but there is one thing I would like to tell you as you read this book. You are good enough to be able to come to this place. I'm not sure how you perceive that, now that I'm dead.

I don't know what you think of other people. I don't know, but it will eventually make those around you afraid... like me. It may be an afterthought, but as a predecessor, I don't want you to lead a life like mine.

...I haven't told you why I refused to become a god, have I? It's because...I wanted to die as a 'person.' I, who could do anything and reach divinity while I was alive... could only die as a 'person' in this way.

I don't want you to end up in the same position. It's truly selfish of me."**

I clenched the book tightly.

I'd always imagined the sage as someone aloof, detached from others—someone who cared only for his own pursuits. But this... this revealed the painful truth. He was a man who could do everything, yet he was unbearably lonely.

A man who had the power of a god, yet desired only to die as a human.

It struck a chord deep in my heart. Would I end up the same way? With the power I had been gaining, would I eventually become feared, isolated... alone?

I felt a knot form in my chest, but before I could dwell on it, the book continued.

**"It's a bit scary, but to solve this is simple... Well, for someone other than me.

The answer is to get someone you can trust.

It could be a friend, a lover, or a parent. Make someone who will lay everything on the line and still be there for you.

...I was good at building relationships when I was alive, but I didn't get someone to expose everything like that. If you have the time, don't be afraid and look for such a person positively."**

I let out a dry chuckle.

"Easier said than done, Sage-san..."

I was the type of person who didn't have any friends back on Earth. Making friends wasn't exactly my strong suit. Still, he seemed to anticipate my doubts.

"You're going to be fine. Don't rush, take your time...go at your own pace and get a lifetime friend. Not only do you have to deal with your friends, but you have to deal with yourself."

I let out a shaky breath.

...That line hit me harder than I expected. I suddenly remembered my grandfather, who had told me something similar before he passed away. The warmth of that memory filled me with a strange comfort.

I vowed to try—to live without regrets.

As I turned the page, the book's tone suddenly shifted.

"Thank you for keeping me company this far, and I apologize for that, but... I'll write one thing you want to know in this book."

"Eh?!"

I blinked. One thing I wanted to know?

It was as if he were reading my mind again. My thoughts raced. There was so much I was curious about, but right now...

"Magic... I wonder..."

The words had barely left my lips when the book responded.

"It seems like you want to know about magic."

I gawked at the words.

"You've gotta be kidding me..."

Ignoring my outburst, the book continued.

**"I've packed all of my magic theories into this continuation. However... you have no knowledge of magic... no, on the contrary... you're not a resident of this world.

But unfortunately, even if you have the magic theory drilled into your head, you're not capable of using magic. That's because every human in this world has... [Magic Circuit] in their body that allows them to use magic.

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Simply put, it's like a blood vessel. Unlike you, humans in this world produce not only blood but also magic power from their hearts, and it runs through their entire body. However, being an otherworlder, you don't have this circuit. Therefore, you can't use magic."**

I felt my breath catch in my throat.

"...No way..."

The crushing realization hit me like a hammer. No matter how strong I became... I could never use magic.

I stared at the book, despair threatening to weigh me down. But then, new words appeared.

"──Therefore, I will give you my magic circuit. Yeah, I don't exist anymore. But my magic circuit is so precious that it can be said to be a treasure of this world. It would be better for you to use it than just to make it disappear."

"W-what?!"

The sage was going to... give me his magic circuit? Something that rare and precious?

**"If you don't use it, it's just going to disappear. But now you're here. There's nothing wrong with that, just that the existence that inherits it just happens to be an otherworlder. It's decided that it's better for people who can use it.

In the first place, how many people can get to this place...?"**

"...Thank you... Sage-san..."

Before I could process it further, the book suddenly lifted from my hands. It hovered in the air, glowing brilliantly.

"Now that you've made your decision, let's get you started. This is my magic circuit that the whole world has wanted...!"

The pages flipped wildly, and glowing ancient symbols leapt from the book, winding around my body like serpents. They slithered up my legs, wrapped around my torso, and coiled around my arms.

"Wha-!?"

The symbols burned as they merged with my skin, searing into my very essence. My heart felt as though it were on fire. I dropped to my knees, gasping for breath.

Then, the pain faded, and the glow receded.

Panting, I stared at my trembling hands.

"...I-I did it..."

The book fell to the ground with a dull thud, and I reached out, flipping to the last page.

"I wish you all the best in your life, from the sage."

I clutched the book to my chest, overwhelmed by gratitude.

"...Thank you, Sage-san. You, too, may you be at peace..."

I stored the book in my item box, turned to the sage's remains, and clasped my hands in prayer.

"Yeah. That's enough for today... More importantly, I need to read the book the sage left for me right now."

And with newfound determination, I turned and began my journey home.