Reactions from all sides, a Four Rings son-in-law, a crisis dispelled, promotion, and the return of Three Rings!

The Academy assembly ended.

But news of Ian defeating Una spread through the Academy through the Wizards who had attended.

In just one day, it reached the entire Academy.

It also shocked all the Wizards.

The name Ian.

Over the past few years, it had practically been like a sun hanging above everyone's heads, his repeated first-place finishes during his Study Tour at the Gray Tower inspiring all the Wizards.

But that had felt very intangible.

Most Wizards had never left the White Stone Territory, never visited the Gray Tower, and certainly never seen the Gray Tower's top Wizards.

But Una was different.

He was the actual Dean of one of the Academy's branches, one of its very top figures.

Everyone knew how powerful he was.

He was a genuine Peak Second Ring Wizard, and even among Peak Second Ring Wizards, he ranked among the strongest.

Yet a Wizard like that.

Had actually been defeated by Ian.

And reportedly defeated with ease.

So when most Wizards first heard the news, they did not believe it.

But as more and more Wizards talked about it, and even a recording made by some unknown Wizard circulated, the footage of the battle left those Wizards speechless.

It was true.

This was the Academy's greatest genius.

He had truly reached the very pinnacle of the Academy.

The Lava Crystal Mine.

Quality control supervisor Magnus stood with his head lowered, listening to the Mine Manager in front of him mock him.

"Magnus, I heard you started out as the Mine Manager here. After all these years, you should have moved somewhere more important. I heard you enjoyed a spell of glory following Ian, too, but here you are again, in an even lower position than before."

The Wizard who enjoyed the Mine Manager's deep trust