Inside his spiritual sea, in his spiritual form, John looked above his head. The stars shone with colorful light, each one flickering like a jewel in the sky. He couldn't help but feel a surge of pride swelling in his chest — pride in his progress, his dedication, and the path he had carved for himself.
Before coming to this world, his spiritual sea had only contained about thirty runes. But now, with just a glance, he could see over two hundred radiant runes glowing brightly above him. Each one seemed to pulse with energy, like tiny hearts beating in unison.
And yet, John knew this wasn't his limit. Far from it. He could feel it — a deep, instinctive awareness that if he pushed himself, he could inscribe three hundred or even more runes.
Still, one thing puzzled him. Why had he only been able to inscribe a handful of runes when he was still at the first level? Even the memories he'd gained from the Space Stone didn't offer a clear answer. Those memories told him that no one else had ever followed this particular cultivation path — he was the first to walk it.
That didn't mean there weren't similar systems, of course. The wizard cultivation system, which John once believed was just a fantasy, turned out to be real. Yet even that system had its limitations.
When John first explored those memories, he felt lost, unsure if he'd accidentally chosen a path too extreme for anyone to follow. But now, after months of practice and growth, he realized that he'd been walking this extreme path from the very beginning — one filled with challenges, risks, and unknowns.
And yet, he wasn't alone. Tony, Pepper, Happy — and now Alsie and Yumina — had all chosen to follow him on this path. John didn't know where it would ultimately lead, but he was determined to keep walking, step by step, until he reached the end.
---
Leaving his spiritual sea, John opened his eyes to find himself on a beach — the gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore filled the air. This wasn't just any beach; it was located on a small island called Ishan, the very place where Yae Kokonoe came from. The sand was pristine and white, glistening like tiny pearls under the warm sunlight. The ocean stretched endlessly, its turquoise surface shimmering with the reflection of the sky.
John had come here with one goal in mind — to acquire as many new runes as possible. He knew this world held secrets no other place could offer, not even the Marvel world.
Of course, if he wanted to gather more runes back in the Marvel world, he'd probably need to establish some kind of organization — an academy, perhaps — but even that might not be enough.
It had been eight months since Alsie and Yumina began their journey as wizards. After traveling all over the kingdom, taking tasks, battling monsters, and honing their skills, they had finally reached Ishan.
This island wasn't just part of John's goal to gather runes — it was also where he hoped to uncover the mystery behind the floating island itself. If he could understand how sky garden was created, perhaps he could even recreate it someday.
In the months since they started, Alsie and Yumina had made impressive progress in their cultivation. They were close to reaching the second stage. As for John, his spiritual sea had become dense with Origin Energy — so much so that it was becoming difficult to contain it all. He knew this meant his breakthrough to the second stage of the Level 2 Star Wizard realm was imminent.
---
Feeling relaxed after a few hours of meditation, John stood up and walked toward the girls. They were lying on the warm sand, sunbathing for the first time in what felt like ages.
"Are you guys ready to see something amazing?" John asked, feeling a bit lighter after watching them finally unwind.
Even he hadn't expected the journey to be this difficult — from endless tasks to constant meditation and rune inscription, they hadn't had a proper break in months.
"We've been wondering when you'd ask," Alsie replied, stretching lazily before standing up.
Both girls were wearing bikinis — Alsie in a sleek blue two-piece that matched her icy aura, and Yumina in a bright yellow bikini that complemented her warm personality. Their toned bodies, sculpted from constant training, glistened with beads of sweat.
John tried to keep his eyes focused on their faces, but he couldn't help feeling his heart race for a moment.
'Focus,' he reminded himself.
"Alright, no more waiting. Let's go," John said, taking the lead as he stepped into the water.
With a wave of his hand, the ocean parted before them. The water shifted and curled away, forming a clear path beneath their feet. The sight was breathtaking — the sea itself seemed to bow in reverence, creating a glassy tunnel that stretched far into the distance.
"That's… insane," Alsie whispered, unable to hide her amazement.
Even now, after witnessing John's power countless times, they still hadn't seen his full strength. This display only added to the mystery that surrounded him.
Following John's lead, the trio walked through the path of water until they reached the ruins — ancient stone structures half-buried beneath coral and kelp.
Following the steps Touya took in the novel, John guided the group through the ruins and into a shimmering portal.
---
When they opened their eyes again, they found themselves standing in a magnificent garden.
Lush green grass stretched as far as the eye could see, dotted with vibrant flowers in shades of crimson, violet, and gold. Towering trees stood proudly with leaves that glowed faintly, as if woven with starlight. Crystal-clear streams meandered through the landscape, their waters humming with energy.
"It's... beautiful," Yumina murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Both girls stood frozen, their eyes wide with awe. Birds with sapphire feathers flitted through the air, singing gentle songs, and the air itself carried a refreshing, almost magical fragrance.
But their admiration didn't last long.
"Hello!" A cheerful voice called out.
The trio turned to see a woman approaching them — her emerald-green hair cascading down her back. She had bright eyes and a wide smile, but her outfit...
Or rather, her lack of an outfit...
The woman was wearing nothing but a pair of white underpants.
"Wha—?!" Alsie's face darkened in an instant. Yumina's reaction was just as fierce as she rushed to cover John's eyes.
"Too late," John muttered with a satisfied smile, clearly enjoying the view.
'Touya was right... this is a moment of bliss,' he mused, his eyes still twinkling.
Realizing their efforts were failing miserably, the girls finally dragged Francesca — the green-haired woman — far away and demanded that she put on proper clothes.
---
Once things settled down, John approached Francesca with a serious expression. After explaining his purpose, Francesca granted him permission to explore the Sky Garden.
Telling the girls to practice nearby, John sat down with a pen and book in hand. Activating his Eye of Truth, he began frantically copying the runes — each symbol glowing brightly before his eyes as he recorded them with meticulous care.
This place was a treasure trove — and John wouldn't waste a single moment of it.