Recaps

Ian surprised Vivian by mastering the first stage of Faint Glimmer in less than two months, earning her support and extra Library access. He began learning the Minor Antidote Potion and, three days later, deciphered the wizardry contained in the Mickey Feather.

• Ian showed Vivian the glow in his eyes, proving he had reached the first stage of Faint Glimmer ahead of schedule.
• Vivian arranged for materials to be delivered, gave Ian ten hours of Library access each month, and warned him to keep his progress secret.
• Ian bought the Minor Antidote Potion recipe and used his Library access to study.
• Ian studied the recipe and began making Minor Hemostatic and Minor Antidote Potions with Farn nearby.
• After three days, Ian smoothly improved at making the Minor Antidote Potion and deciphered the wizardry within the Mickey Feather.

Ian mastered Wind of Traction and continued improving his potion skills, talent, and mental power amid rising tensions after the Blackstone School’s attack. At a Potions Department meeting, he was surprised to see Beck arrive behind Doug.

• Ian tested Wind of Traction, discovering that it greatly increased his movement speed and let him change direction or stop while moving.
• Ian practiced the Traction Technique and planned to seek Vivian’s authorization to make advanced potions once he had mastered enough basic recipes.
• Over the next month, Ian raised his Guidance Technique to the proficient stage, brought another potion to Master Level, increased his talent to 215 points, and condensed his eleventh Mental Power Rune.
• Ian attended the Potions Department’s monthly meeting, where a bearded potion master glared at him without explanation.
• Ian saw Beck following Doug into the conference hall and recognized the second-class talent as a newcomer from his cohort.

Ian applied to Vivian for an Advanced Potion formula, and Granger offered to cover it after learning how quickly Ian had progressed. Vivian explained that she wanted Ian to enter the Cultivation Sequence before Beck because the school was forming the Potion Strategic Security Department and she needed leverage against Doug.

• Ian saw Beck, now a Junior Potion Master, and reflected that Beck was likely pursuing the Cultivation Sequence.
• Granger protested to Vivian that his laboratory should not have to handle Ian’s unusually large potion quota, but Vivian agreed to consider moving it elsewhere.
• Ian told Vivian that his Guidance Technique had entered the first stage and asked for an Advanced Potion formula; Vivian approved the request without a test.
• Granger learned of Ian’s rapid progress and offered to take over his quota and pay for his first Advanced Potion formula.
• Vivian told Ian that Granger had served under her father and explained her goal of reclaiming the Potions Department’s authority from Doug.
• Vivian revealed that the school planned to establish the Potion Strategic Security Department and urged Ian to enter the Cultivation Sequence before Beck to strengthen her position against Doug.

Ian learned about Advanced Potions from Granger and chose to study the Minor Energy Potion. After Granger trained him and watched him brew, Ian advanced rapidly, leaving Granger shocked by his skill.

• Granger introduced Ian to four Advanced Potions, and Ian chose the Minor Energy Potion formula.
• Granger invited Ian to assist him, and Ian observed him brewing the potion until Ian's skill reached beginner level.
• Over three days, Ian processed materials and observed Granger, then succeeded on his first attempt at brewing a Minor Energy Potion under Granger's supervision.
• Granger agreed to guide Ian once a week, and Ian's independent brewing quickly raised his proficiency.
• Seven days later, Ian brewed with practiced ease, and Granger was stunned that Ian had reached a level that had taken him months to attain.

Ian advanced his potion-making under Granger’s guidance while working toward Second-class Talent and greater protection. After Ian mastered the Minor Energy Potion, he began studying the Minor Mana Potion and remained inconspicuous at the monthly meeting.

• Granger shortened his guidance sessions with Ian to every three days, and Ian planned to raise his talent and mental power while mastering Advanced Potions.
• Doug ordered Beck to stop preparing potions and focus on reaching Second-class Apprentice Witch within eight months so he could enter the Cultivation Sequence.
• Granger watched Ian’s rapid progress and offered to cover the formulas for the remaining advancement potions, explaining the benefits Intermediate Potion Masters received.
• Ian raised the Minor Energy Potion to Master Level, increasing his talent from 215 to 223, then began studying the Minor Mana Potion.
• At the monthly meeting, Ian took a seat in the last row despite qualifying to sit in the third, keeping himself unnoticed.

The Mutual Aid Society reunited after three months, and Ian learned how the war had affected his friends and their mental power training. After meeting Mark and accepting his squad’s gift, Ian had enough resources to focus on advancing to Rank Two.

• The Mutual Aid Society members reunited at Ian’s house and discussed their dangerous work and progress in mental power meditation.
• William thanked Ian for arranging a potion-maker for his squad, whose potions had saved William’s life.
• Ian revealed he had eleven Mental Power Runes, while the group discussed Lucy, Levi, and Beck’s faster progress.
• William introduced Ian to Mark, who thanked him for his warning and gave him a bag of valuable resources.
• Ian inspected the gift and decided to focus on advancing to Rank Two.

Over three months, Ian improved his wizardry and potion-making until his talent was one point short of advancing to Second-class Talent. After training Acid Splash in the Academy’s cultivation room, he reached Master Level and advanced to Second-grade Star.

• Ian concentrated on studying and making potions while the school’s new Potion Strategic Security Department caused unrest and difficulties obtaining materials.
• Over three months, Ian raised his mental power, mastered three Advanced Potions, and brought Acid Splash close to Master Level, leaving his talent at 249 points.
• Ian decided to advance his talent before beginning Intermediate Potion studies and had Farn purchase the materials he needed.
• Ian practiced Acid Splash at the Training Ground, then moved to a cultivation room to construct its Sorcery Model.
• Ian advanced Acid Splash to Master Level, gained five talent points, and reached Second-grade Star.

Ian’s second-grade Star Talent improved his mental abilities and accelerated his wizard training, while he continued pursuing the Cultivation Sequence and a higher rank. He passed Vivian’s assessment for Intermediate Potions, leaving him eligible to learn them.

• Ian’s talent improvement let him multitask, increased his First-class Wizard Apprentice progress and Mental Power Runes, and improved his meditation.
• Ian left the cultivation room and resolved to pursue the Cultivation Sequence and Second-class Apprentice Witch status, while keeping his progress hidden and viewing Hal as a future enemy.
• Ian told Vivian he had mastered all four Advanced Potions and wanted to learn Intermediate Potions.
• Vivian tested Ian with twenty portions of materials, and Ian passed by brewing three successful portions of each potion.

Ian received permission to study Intermediate Mana Potions and began training under Victor while preparing to enter the Cultivation Sequence. Ten days later, his Potion Identification reached Master Level.

• Vivian approved Ian's plan to brew Mana Potions, gave him a note for the formula, and granted him daily access to the Intermediate Potion Master's Library section.
• Ian learned that Victor had missed the Cultivation Sequence and was being burdened with work by Doug, then agreed to assist him with Mana Potions.
• Ian obtained the Mana Potion formula and studied its complex brewing process overnight.
• Ian trained under Victor, reached Potion Entry in five days, and began brewing batches to build proficiency.
• Ian brewed potions for the Mutual Aid Society in exchange for Magic Stones, then continued practicing Mana Potions.
• Ten days later, Ian left the Library after his Potion Identification reached Master Level.

Ian’s Master-Level Potion Identification greatly improved his talent and learning speed, while his progress in potions and mental power continued despite a dispute that cut off his access to ingredients. The chapter ended with Farn summoning him to an emergency meeting called by the Potions Department’s honorary minister.

• Potion Identification reached Master Level, raising Ian’s talent by twenty points and granting him Zero-Ring Magic Plant Identification.
• Ian condensed his seventeenth and then eighteenth Mental Power Runes as his other spells and potion skills advanced.
• Ian learned that Lucy, Levi, and Beck were ahead of him in rune progress, while private betting pools tracked the Cultivation Sequence rankings.
• Doug restricted access to potion ingredients after Ian’s work in Victor’s laboratory was discovered, and Ian worried the dispute would hinder his progress.
• Farn urgently told Ian that all Potion Masters had to attend a meeting within half an hour, called by the Potions Department minister rather than Doug or Vivian.

Ian attended a Potions Department meeting where Hyde Verick ordered the Wizards to develop an antidote for a deadly Blackstone School poison within seven days. Ian used his Potion Analysis talent to identify the potion’s ingredients immediately and considered pursuing the reward and protection from Doug.

• Ian entered the Potions Department meeting and saw Peak Wizard Apprentice Hyde Verick seated with Vivian and Doug.
• Hyde announced that a new Zero Ring junior poison had caused severe casualties and that the department had seven days to create an antidote.
• Hyde offered fifty Magic Stones for each identified ingredient and five hundred Magic Stones, a Zero Ring Secret Art, and his gratitude to whoever solved the poison.
• Vivian told her Wizards that the outcome of the Potion Strategic Security Department would likely be decided by their work on the poison.
• Vivian distributed samples, and Ian’s Potion Analysis talent revealed the active and inactive ingredients along with the poison’s effects.

Ian shared his analysis of the Blackstone School’s poison with Vivian, and together they formulated the Antidote Potion. They headed to see Minister Hyde with the antidote, leaving the question of the reward and authority unresolved.

• Ian decided to wait before sharing his findings and spent the next two days watching the Potions Department struggle to decipher the poison.
• Ian told Vivian he had analyzed all the ingredients and listed them, claiming a special talent for potion analysis.
• Ian helped Vivian sort the effective ingredients from the useless ones as they worked in the laboratory.
• Vivian formulated a pale green Antidote Potion and confirmed it neutralized the poison.
• Vivian thanked Ian, credited him with much of their success, and took him to see Minister Hyde.

Vivian brought Ian to Hyde after they formulated the Antidote Potion, and Hyde confirmed it worked. He rewarded Vivian with leadership of a new department and promised Ian better access to Academy facilities, while agreeing to limit publicity about Ian.

• Vivian dragged Ian to Hyde's residence and told him that Ian had analyzed the ingredients for the Antidote Potion.
• Hyde tested the potion on a poisoned white mouse, which recovered after he injected the antidote.
• Hyde promised Vivian leadership of the new department and asked Ian what reward he wanted.
• Ian requested help with potion resources and greater access to Academy facilities, especially the Training Ground.
• Ian asked Hyde to keep his role out of the publicity, and Hyde agreed to describe him as contributing to one or two steps.
• Hyde led Vivian and Ian to the Potions Department to gather everyone for a meeting.

Hyde announced that Vivian and Ian had produced the Antidote Potion, strengthening Vivian’s position and leaving Doug furious over the consequences. Three days later, Ian went to Hyde’s office to receive the reward Hyde had secured for him.

• Hyde summoned the Potions Department and announced that Vivian and Ian had produced the Antidote Potion.
• Hyde ordered the Wizards to learn the new formula and begin making the potion, and awarded the remaining rewards to Vivian and Ian.
• Potion Masters sought guidance from Vivian and Ian, and Ian became acquainted with Wizards from both sides of the department.
• Three days later, Ian formulated the Antidote Potion in his laboratory but gained no new skill.
• Ian encountered Doug and Vivian leaving Hyde’s office, then entered and learned that his reward had arrived.

Ian received generous rewards from Hyde for helping the Blackstone School, including Magic Stones, experimental equipment, Training Ground access, and permission to choose a Secret Art. He learned the requirements for advancing to Second-class Apprentice Witch, then selected Spirit Pattern Resonance Art from the Library and left Mirror Heart for another time.

• Hyde awarded Ian five hundred Magic Stones, a Secret Art, experimental equipment, free Primary Training Ground access, and monthly sparring hours, and told him to work toward becoming an Intermediate Potion Master and entering the Cultivation Sequence.
• Hyde explained that advancing to Second-class Apprentice Witch required at least twenty Mental Power Runes and a stabilized Mental Power Structure, then gave Ian a booklet to study.
• Ian asked Hyde about betting pools for entry into the Cultivation Sequence, and Hyde said Cole Carlton had arranged them and that he had settled the matter with Doug.
• Ian went to the Library and reviewed the available Secret Arts, including Soul of Scorching Fire, Mirror Heart, Shadow Stealth, and Spirit Pattern Resonance Art.
• Ian chose Spirit Pattern Resonance Art because he believed it could amplify his many Wizardry runes, registered it, and left Mirror Heart for a later visit.

After Ian and Vivian’s Antidote Potion improved conditions across the front lines, Ian continued developing his potion skills and Mental Power. One year and nine months after arriving at the Academy, he chose to advance to Second-class Apprentice Witch.

• Doug fumed over Vivian’s new authority and Hyde’s warning, then decided to focus on countering Vivian and wait before dealing with Ian.
• Logan and Coro learned that Ian had helped create the Antidote Potion and received several potions from a Wizard who recognized their connection to him.
• Mark’s squad tried the new Antidote Potion, praised its effects, and gave William the same supply share as the veteran members after learning Ian had helped develop it.
• Ian placed bets on himself entering the Cultivation Sequence and finishing in the top three, while Lucy advanced to Second-class Apprentice Witch and entered the Cultivation Sequence.
• Ian reached twenty Mental Power Runes, mastered the technique for condensing a Mental Power Space, and chose to advance to Second-class Apprentice Witch after one year and nine months at the Academy.

Ian advanced to a Second-class Wizard Apprentice after organizing his Mental Power Runes, then tested the increased power of his spells. When he went to the Castle to research Advanced Meditation Methods, Mickey recognized his advancement and asked him about it.

• Ian reached the progress requirement for advancement and entered an Intermediate Meditation Room with two Energy Potions prepared.
• Ian spent three hours arranging his Mental Power Runes into a stable structure and advanced to a Second-class Wizard Apprentice.
• Ian found that his mental power had at least doubled and tested a Wind Blade Spell that carved a deep gouge into the ground.
• Ian headed to the Castle Library to research Advanced Meditation Methods, and Mickey sensed his aura and confronted him.
• Ian confirmed to Mickey that he had advanced to a Second-class Wizard Apprentice.

Ian learned that higher-grade Advanced Meditation Methods were reserved for Wizards in the Cultivation Sequence, then prepared potions more effectively after becoming a Second-class Apprentice Witch. After Mama Potion reached Master Level, he applied for the Intermediate Potion Master assessment, which began at the Castle.

• Mickey explained the grades of Advanced Meditation Methods and advised Ian to enter the Cultivation Sequence before seeking a better method.
• Ian told Mickey he planned to take the Intermediate Potion Master assessment, then prepared a Glimmering Eye potion with greater speed and proficiency.
• Ian learned that Levi had entered the Cultivation Sequence and that Beck was still a month away from reaching twenty Mental Power Runes.
• Mama Potion reached Master Level, raising Ian's aptitude from 277 to 292.
• Ian went to Vivian's office and applied to Minister Hyde and Deputy Minister Vivian for the Intermediate Potion Master assessment.
• Hyde accompanied Ian and Vivian to the Castle, where the Secret Source Department assembled materials and began recording Ian's assessment.

Ian passed the Intermediate Potion Master examination and became the third Wizard Apprentice that year to enter the Cultivation Sequence. After celebrating with the Wizards who had gathered, he followed Cimo Morton to hear about the benefits of the Cultivation Sequence.

• Ian prepared the required potions, drank Energy and Stamina Potions to recover, and began making Intermediate Potions.
• Ian failed his first batch but succeeded with the next three, passing the examination.
• Cimo Morton congratulated Ian on becoming an Intermediate Potion Master and entering the Cultivation Sequence.
• Vivian, Hyde, Lucy, and other Wizards congratulated Ian, while Lucy reflected on how her Lineage had once refused to support him.
• Ian agreed to record the benefits of the Cultivation Sequence that day, and Hyde invited him to collect their wager winnings in a few days.
• Ian followed Cimo to a reception room, where Cimo began explaining the Cultivation Sequence's benefits.

Ian joined the Cultivation Sequence and learned about its extensive resource, facility, and Library benefits before searching for an Advanced Meditation Method. News of his success reached the Potions Department, where Doug, Hal, and Beck reacted with frustration and began considering what to do next.

• Seamus explained the Cultivation Sequence's benefits and had Ian sign a three-year contract.
• Ian asked about rewards for advancing to Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice, then received a two-star badge from Seamus.
• Ian visited the Library, explored his newly available sections, and searched the second underground floor for an Advanced Meditation Method.
• Hal told Doug and Beck that Ian had passed the Intermediate Potion Master assessment and entered the Cultivation Sequence.
• Doug blamed Hal, while Hal regretted offending Ian and Beck struggled to accept being surpassed.

Ian studied Second-class Wizard Meditation Methods and learned from Chris how rune quality and synergy shaped their power. He chose the Four-Element Resonance Meditation Method, then went to consult Mickey before buying it.

• Ian compared ordinary- and outstanding-grade Meditation Methods but could not tell what distinguished them.
• Chris explained that outstanding-grade methods could link runes and use stronger runes, while exceptional-grade methods were more difficult to cultivate.
• Ian examined the exceptional-grade options and decided the Four-Element Resonance Meditation Method best suited his elemental Wizardry.
• Ian checked the method’s five-hundred-Magic-Stone price, decided not to purchase it yet, and went to find Mickey for advice.
• Mickey reacted strangely when Ian told him he had chosen the Four-Element Resonance Meditation Method.

Ian chose the Four-Element Resonance Meditation Method despite its difficulty, learned how it strengthened and refined mental power, and began preparing to condense the Spirit Wind Rune. After three days of practice, the method reached initiation, and Ian went to the department to seek resources.

• Mickey explained that the Four-Element Resonance Meditation Method came from the Elemental Mysteries Academy and was powerful but difficult, and Ian took it from the school, spending nearly all his Magic Stones.
• Ian studied the method and found that it increased his mental power several times faster while improving its quality and enabling the use of four Advanced Runes.
• Ian chose to condense the Spirit Wind Rune first and learned that the process required suitable elemental resources, including costly materials.
• After three days of practice, Ian reached initiation in the Four-Element Resonance Meditation Method, and his panel showed Spirit Wind Rune progress at 1/100.
• Ian found dozens of congratulatory letters and invitations in his mailbox, set them aside, and went to the department to seek resources.

Ian learned about his new benefits as an Intermediate Potion Master, including an independent laboratory and access to strategic resources, and gained a clearer understanding of how power and resources shaped the School’s conflicts. He left Vivian and headed to Director Hyde to collect the Magic Stones owed to him.

• Potion Masters greeted Ian enthusiastically, and Vivian invited him to her office to discuss his new treatment.
• Vivian told Ian he could establish an independent laboratory, choose three Potion Masters and ten Wizard servants, and claim a share of its profits.
• Vivian explained that Ian’s laboratory would gain access to the Potions Department’s strategic supply channel, then invited him to breakfast and served him tea that greatly increased his mental power.
• Ian reflected on the connection between strength, resources, and conflict before setting off to visit Director Hyde.
• Ian arrived at Hyde’s residence, intending to retrieve the Magic Stones owed to him.

Hyde took Ian to meet Ed, the Alchemy Department head, and collect the Magic Stones Ian had won, with some of the payout offered as Witchcraft Artifacts. Ian examined the available gear and became excited when he recognized the final ring.

• Hyde brought Ian to the Alchemy Department, where they met Ed, a Wizard with some Dwarf ancestry.
• Hyde collected his betting winnings, and Ed offered Ian fifteen hundred Magic Stones for his top-three bet, partly in Witchcraft Artifacts.
• Ed and Hyde discussed the worsening war against the Blackstone School, prompting Ian to feel urgency about becoming stronger.
• Ed let Ian choose from several Zero-ring Middle Grade Witchcraft Artifacts in the storeroom.
• Ian selected the Echo Staff and Guardian Robe, dismissed two rings that granted instant casting, and grew excited at the sight of the third ring.

Ian bought three Witchcraft Artifacts at a discount, then joined Hyde and Ed on an inspection of the Alchemy Department. After Ian helped Emily get transferred to a less grueling laboratory where she could try crafting Witchcraft Artifacts, Hyde warned Ian that the academy might face danger within two years, leaving Ian resolved to grow stronger and remember Hal.

• Ian chose an Echo Staff, Guardian Robe, and Space Ring, and Hyde helped him buy all three for seven hundred Magic Stones.
• Ed invited Ian to accompany him and Hyde on an inspection of the Alchemy Department, where Ian saw Emily working in an exhausting laboratory.
• Ian told Ed that Emily was a good friend, and Ed arranged for her to transfer to another laboratory and begin trying to craft basic Witchcraft Artifacts.
• Ed gave Ian eight Mid-grade Magic Stones, and Ian gave one to Hyde to thank him for his help.
• Hyde warned Ian to strengthen his mental power and advance within two years, prompting Ian to resolve to grow stronger and keep Hal in mind.