Recaps

Ian returned to the City of Elements and proved to Kieran that he had met the first-layer requirements of the Four Symbols Resonance Meditation Method. Kieran approved of Ian and arranged access to the Fire-Pattern Stone Wall and notes from Huo Yan, while Gwen tried to get closer to Ian; two days later, Ian returned to Four Symbols Academy for another monthly assessment.

• Ian returned to the City of Elements, noticed the growing pace and competition, and went to Kieran's Castle to pass his assessment.
• Kieran introduced Ian to Gwen, his new preparatory disciple, and Ian demonstrated that he had reached the first-layer requirements of the Four Symbols Resonance Meditation Method.
• Ian explained that studying the Fire-Pattern Stone Wall let him explore knowledge closer to its origins, and Kieran praised his outlook on wizardry and agreed to lend him the wall and Huo Yan's notes.
• Kieran asked Ian to take Gwen to Castle No. 3, and Gwen questioned Ian, offered him a Heart-Calming Stone, and tried to draw closer to him.
• Ian left Gwen at Castle No. 3, continued purchasing resources, and returned to Four Symbols Academy two days later for a monthly assessment.

Ian attended a quarterly assessment where Kieran taught natural-rune research and lent him a Space Ring for a year after recognizing his progress. The Academy’s increased number of preparatory apprentices was explained as an order, and Ian opened the ring at home, hoping its contents would help him compete for a scholarship.

• Ian noticed eight new Wizard apprentices from Elemental Mysteries among the attendees, including Gwen, and learned the Academy had recruited more preparatory students than usual.
• Kieran lectured on natural-rune research, giving Ian methods that could speed up his work.
• During the assessment, Kieran praised El’s progress and gave Ian a Space Ring to borrow for a year.
• Kieran told the preparatory apprentices they still had to become Official Wizards within two and a half years, revealing that the Academy had ordered the larger intake.
• Flynn and other Wizards treated Ian warmly, while Gwen thanked him for his earlier guidance before Ian returned home and opened the Space Ring.

Ian examined the fire-pattern runes from the lava crystal mine and planned to organize them into a research article for Elemental Mysteries, hoping it would help him win a scholarship. After studying academy journals and submission guidance, he returned to the mine to begin his work.

• Ian examined the fire-pattern stone walls and chunks for two days and found that their rune varieties supported his research plans.
• Ian decided to organize the Fire Pattern Runes into an article, hoping to improve his chances of winning a scholarship.
• Ian visited the Elemental Mysteries library and bought recent journals, annual reports, and issues of Elemental Warp and Weft.
• Elton gave Ian a free guide to article submissions and shared which research directions had helped wizards win scholarships.
• Ian read through the articles, confirmed his proposed paper was feasible, bought research supplies, and returned to the Lava Crystal Mine Pit.

Ian learned that the third underground level held richer fire elements and dangerous runes, then focused his research on completing a paper in time for the annual journal. After finishing a draft, he advanced his Meditation Method to Master Level, raising his talent to 3650.

• Ian received a larger share of the mine’s resources after Magnus and the other two men gave up part of their shares.
• Ian visited the barrier to the third underground level, and Magnus explained its resources, high elemental concentration, and dangers.
• Ian changed his research plan to raise the Fire Pattern Runes to Proficient or Expert and began classifying them for his paper.
• Ian completed a draft of his paper after months of research and planned to ask Kieran for a final review.
• Ian meditated for two weeks and advanced the Four Symbols Resonance Method to Master Level, increasing his talent from 3450 to 3650.

Ian returned to the Academy with a completed paper on Fire Pattern Runes and learned that El’s progress threatened his chance at a scholarship. He told Kieran that he had mastered the first layer of the Four Symbols Resonance Method and Flame Hand, prompting Kieran to demand a demonstration.

• Ian sensed that the Master Level Meditation Method purified his Mental Power and brought him closer to New Moon Level.
• Ian returned to Elemental Mysteries, read that the Academy planned to more than double its admissions, and went to see Kieran.
• Ian gave Kieran his Fire Pattern Runes paper, and Kieran approved it and offered to put his name on it.
• Kieran warned Ian that El had reached the limit of the early First Ring and might claim the scholarship if she advanced further.
• Ian said he had mastered the first layer of the Four Symbols Resonance Method and Flame Hand, and Kieran immediately asked him to show what he could do.

Ian demonstrated his abilities to Kieran and earned an Elemental Crown Scholarship, which included valuable resources and access to the Academy secret realm. Kieran warned him that war could arrive within two years and urged him to reach the middle first ring before then, while hinting at an upcoming elite disciple selection.

• Ian demonstrated Flame Hand and the first level of the Four Symbols Resonance Method to Kieran.
• Kieran awarded Ian an Elemental Crown Scholarship, explaining its resources and the secret realm’s inherited imprints.
• Kieran told Ian that the Academy was preparing for a war that might begin within two years and urged him to reach the middle first ring.
• Kieran said that a selection for elite disciples might open in two years and that only middle first-ring Wizards could participate.
• After Ian left, Kieran wondered how far Ian could progress through Four Symbols Resonance.

Ian focused on improving his talent and attended the quarterly assessment, where Kieran awarded him the Elemental Crown Scholarship instead of El. Kieran hinted that Ian had abilities beyond his Mental Power, leaving the assembled Wizards stunned and curious.

• Ian decided to use his scholarship resources to improve his talent and returned home to work on Fire Pattern Runes.
• Ian met Gwen on the way to Castle No. 3, where she treated him with distance, and Xavier barely acknowledged him.
• Kieran praised El for reaching the limit of early Rank 1 and told Peter he would be removed after the next quarterly assessment.
• Kieran announced that Ian would receive the Elemental Crown Scholarship, shocking El, Andre, Gwen, and the other Wizards.
• When El asked why, Kieran said Wizard evaluations were not based on Mental Power alone and told everyone they would soon learn the reason.

After Kieran chose Ian for the scholarship, Ian navigated the reactions of other Wizards and attended Flynn’s salon before returning to the mine. A month later, Ian mastered another Fire Pattern Rune, and his scholarship paper reached Huo Yan at Molten Fire Academy for review.

• Flynn invited Ian to a salon, while El vowed to report him if he proved unqualified and Peter congratulated him before leaving the Castle.
• Ian charged Gwen three hundred Magic Stones to answer her wizardcraft question, then attended Flynn’s salon and listened as the Wizards discussed Academy news and resources.
• Ian returned to the mine the next day and focused on studying Fire Pattern Runes.
• A month later, Ian raised one Fire Pattern Rune to Master Level, bringing his talent to 3750.
• The Academy began reviewing the papers, and Ian’s paper arrived on Huo Yan’s desk at Molten Fire Academy.

Huo Yan approved Ian’s Fire Pattern Runes paper for Zone Two of Elemental Warp and Weft, earning Ian a substantial reward. With Magnus’s gift helping him master more spells, Ian’s talent reached 3950, and he returned to the Academy to prepare for a breakthrough.

• Huo Yan recognized Ian’s paper as deep and promising, then assigned it to Zone Two after identifying Ian as a former applicant he had rejected.
• Magnus told Ian that the paper had been accepted, and Ian learned it would appear in Zone Two and earn him ten thousand contribution points and middle first-ring knowledge.
• Magnus gave Ian a rune-covered iron shard that preserved impressions of Fire Pattern Runes, and Ian thanked him while transferring him a thousand contribution points.
• Ian used the shard to rapidly improve his Fire Pattern Runes, but after two months its remaining will was exhausted.
• Ian raised two more spells to Master Level, reached a talent of 3950, and decided it was time to return to the Academy and break through.

Ian claimed the rewards for his published Fire Pattern Runes paper, received an invitation to the Silver Society, and used his contribution points to break through to New Moon Level talent. After meditating in the Elemental Pool, he emerged to find a red-haired figure glaring at him with hatred.

• Diana told Ian that his paper had been approved and awarded him ten thousand contribution points, a free exchange for mid-stage First Ring knowledge, and a month of library access.
• Diana invited Ian to join the Silver Society as a probationary member, and Ian accepted the invitation for consideration.
• Ian collected the latest journals from Elton, who realized that Ian's first published article had appeared in District Two.
• Ian used his contribution points to rent a top-tier Elemental Pool and raised his talent from Waning Moon Level to New Moon Level.
• Ian examined his improved elemental perception, Wizardry Principle Insight, physical strength, and mental power, then meditated for the remaining time.
• Ian left the Elemental Pool and saw a short red-haired figure watching him with hatred.

Ian agreed to a deathmatch with Cassius Silverleaf two years in the future, then focused on preparing to grow stronger. After his article appeared in Elemental Warp and Weft, his reputation spread through the Academy and beyond, drawing invitations and attention from several wizards.

• Cassius Silverleaf told Ian he would avenge Harold and threatened his School, so Ian agreed to a deathmatch two years later.
• Ian told Horton about Cassius and said he would fight only if he had advanced and felt confident; Horton supported his choice.
• Horton showed Ian’s article in Elemental Warp and Weft and warned that its publication would make Ian well known.
• Green Wing and Sam learned that Ian had published in the journal, while Flynn connected the article to Ian receiving the scholarship and El resolved to surpass him.
• Cassian invited Ian to dinner, Jules rejected repairing ties with Horton, and Ian considered invitations from academic societies without committing to one.
• Ian’s reputation spread over the next three days, and he attended Cassian’s dinner before heading to Four Symbols Academy for the final quarterly assessment meeting.

At the final quarterly assessment, Ian earned recognition for his research article and received private instruction from Kieran along with a new apprentice-guiding assignment. He then told Kieran his talent had improved to the Waning Moon Level.

• Flynn invited Ian to his salon, while Sophia and the other Wizards greeted Ian more warmly after learning about his article.
• Ian shared his experience with Andre, then explained his research on Fire Pattern Runes to the gathered Wizards at Kieran's request.
• Kieran praised Ian, offered him an hour of private instruction, and assigned him to guide the new apprentices for five hundred contribution points each month.
• After the assessment, Ian told Kieran about his problem with Cassius Silverleaf, but Kieran said Ian would need to resolve it himself.
• When Kieran asked about Ian's changed aura, Ian revealed that his talent had improved to the Waning Moon Level.

Ian revealed his Waning Moon Level talent to Kieran, who gave him the second layer of the Four Symbols Resonance Method and its accompanying Wizardry. After learning more about the Silver Society and being urged to advance to the middle stage of the first ring, Ian received a mysterious invitation and silver ring.

• Kieran confirmed Ian's Waning Moon Level talent, reconsidered his plan for Cassius Silverleaf, and gave Ian the second layer of the Four Symbols Resonance Method and its Wizardry.
• Ian told Kieran about the Silver Society, and Kieran advised him to join, explaining its ties to the Academy and its access to confidential knowledge.
• Kieran told Ian his scholarship place was secured but warned that the front-line conflict could shorten the expected timeline, urging him to spend his contribution points and advance quickly.
• At Flynn's salon, Ian learned that reaching the middle stage of the first ring would give him the standing to access resources shared among the Wizards.
• Ian returned home, slept, and found an invitation and an antique-style silver ring instructing him to visit an address before eight the next day.

Ian learned the Silver Society’s benefits, impressed its members with three ideas for extracting fire-beast blood, and left to return to the mine after spending his contribution points. Cassius planned to attack Ian after hearing he had left, but an urgent Academy assignment sent Cassius away for a possible year.

• Diana showed Ian the Silver Society’s departments, library privileges, scholar ranks, and Academic Credits.
• Ian met probationary scholars from several academies at an exchange meeting and proposed three possible solutions to Chahara’s fire-beast blood extraction problem.
• Chahara and the other Wizards warmed to Ian after his ideas showed his expertise, and he made new academic contacts.
• Ian spent his contribution points on mental power crystals and purification potions, then boarded an airship back to the mine after Kieran told him arrangements concerning Cassius were complete.
• Cassius decided to break his two-year agreement and target Ian, but a Molten Fire Academy Wizard ordered him to leave within an hour for a possible year-long assignment.

Ian focused on strengthening his mental power and learning the runes of the Flowing Wind Barrier while El advanced through the mystic realm to the middle stage of the First Ring. Six months later, Ian reached the limit of the early stage of the First Ring.

• Ian chose Flowing Wind Barrier as his second fixed Wizardry and began studying its difficult wind-element runes while prioritizing advancement.
• Ian trained in the Lava Crystal Pit, improved his mental power, and brought the Disorder Rune to proficiency over three months.
• Ian returned to the Academy, collected his scholarship rewards, and learned from Kieran that he should master more runes before entering the mystic realm.
• Ian spent his contribution points and other support on mental-power resources and Crystal Skin materials as he studied the Flowing Wind Barrier runes.
• El entered the mystic realm after reaching perfection in mental power, then later advanced to the middle stage of the First Ring.
• Ian continued training for six months and reached the limit of the early stage of the First Ring.

After a year of training, Ian Green perfected his Mental Power, strengthened his Crystal Skin, and published a second paper in Elemental Warp and Weft, earning recognition as an academic rising star. Kieran gave Ian a permit to enter the Main Academy Secret Realm, where Ian planned to deepen his understanding of the Flowing Wind Barrier and Four Symbols Resonance Method and prepare for his next crystallization.

• Ian reviewed his year of progress in the Lava Crystal Pit and decided to return to the Academy to use his secret realm opportunity.
• Ian told Magnus and Grayson he would be away longer than seven days, then returned to Elemental Mysteries.
• Diana awarded Ian five thousand contribution points and Rank One beginner-level knowledge for his second paper, and told him another paper could advance him to Scholar within the Society.
• Ian received congratulations from the Wizards at the quarterly assessment, while El and Andre regarded his growing reputation with concern and uncertainty.
• Kieran gave Ian a Secret Realm entry permit and instructed him to study the connection between the Flowing Wind Barrier and the Four Symbols Resonance Method.
• Ian arrived outside the Main Academy, ready to enter the Secret Realm.

Ian entered the Main Academy’s Sea of Spiritual Resonance and used its knowledge-rich waters to rapidly improve his wizardry skills and talent. After a month of preparation, he broke through to the mid-stage of Rank One.

• Ian followed his credential’s guidance to the Sea of Spiritual Resonance and entered the secret realm with Green Wing, Abraham Flameheart, and other wizards.
• Ian caught knowledge-bearing fish in the shallow waters, using black threads to locate useful insights while sensing knowledge hidden beyond his reach in the depths.
• After three days, Ian emerged with greatly increased skill proficiency and 4,600 talent points, then returned home to digest his gains.
• Ian took a month of leave, rented a top-tier elemental pool, and drank a Crystal Condensation Potion to prepare for a breakthrough.
• Ian’s Mental Power surged, and he reached the mid-stage of Rank One.

Ian advanced to the mid-First Ring, tested his new domain prototype in the Illusion Tower, and earned official Academy certification. After Kieran arranged a new position for him, Ian returned to the Lava Crystal Pit to handle its remaining affairs.

• Ian condensed a second mental power crystal and combined his Flowing Wind Barrier with his fiery tentacles to create a domain prototype that strengthened his wind and fire wizardry.
• Ian cleared the Illusion Tower through the twenty-sixth floor before withdrawing from the heavily defended wizard on the twenty-seventh.
• Ian showed Kieran proof of clearing the twenty-first floor and the twenty-seventh, and Kieran told him to stabilize his mental power before choosing a new responsibility after the next quarterly assessment.
• Ian recommended Grayson to take over his former position, then received official certification as a mid-First Ring wizard and informed Horton and Audrey.
• Cassian increased his investment in Ian and opened the Pierce Chamber of Commerce's discounted purchasing channels; the next day, Ian boarded an airship back to the Lava Crystal Pit.

Ian explored the mine’s third level with Magnus and Grayson, where he uncovered a hidden chamber containing valuable artifacts and an ancient alchemical legacy. He claimed the legacy and began studying it, finding that it could help advance his talent.

• Ian requested permission to explore the third level, and Magnus approved the expedition a month later.
• Ian killed a middle-stage lava lizard with his embryonic domain, impressing Magnus and Grayson with his strength.
• The group collected Lava Crystal Marrow, and Magnus led Ian to a nearby Fire Rune stone wall.
• Ian discovered the wall was a hidden mechanism; it opened to reveal an abandoned laboratory containing Lava Crystal Marrow, two Witchcraft Artifacts, and an alchemical notebook.
• Ian divided the finds with Magnus and Grayson, taking the notebook while they each received an artifact and the Lava Crystal Marrow was split equally.
• Ian learned the notebook held Malachi Kingston’s alchemical legacy and began studying its Zero Ring techniques, Eye of Deconstruction and Thousand Weaving Hands.

Ian studied Alchemy and mastered two spells before returning to the Academy, where he learned that the Crimson Eye had declared war on the Elemental Mysteries. He attended a tense assessment meeting, waiting for Kieran to explain what the war meant for the Academy.

• Ian studied Malachi's Alchemy inheritance for a month and brought Eye of Deconstruction and Thousand Weaving Hands to Master Level.
• Ian left the mine after Magnus held him a farewell banquet and traveled by Airship toward the City of Elements.
• Ian received messages reporting that the Crimson Eye had attacked the Academy's forward camps and declared war on the Elemental Mysteries.
• Ian returned to the Four Symbols Academy, learned that Kieran would address the situation at the quarterly assessment meeting, and waited at his new home.
• Ian attended the meeting at Castle Three, where Kieran began discussing routine material before announcing that he had matters to address.

Kieran announced that the Academy was shifting its focus to the war and outlined the elite disciple selection, prompting Ian to choose the Alchemy Department as his path to earning battle merits. Kieran agreed to arrange a post for Ian and offered to exchange his old inheritance for a complete First Ring alchemist legacy, leaving Ian to emerge from their meeting with a new opportunity.

• Kieran announced that war duties would increase and explained that elite disciple candidates needed to meet strength and age thresholds, earn five thousand battle merits, and secure a recommendation.
• Kieran described the rewards for elite disciples, including advancement resources, annual access to the secret realm, and higher exchange privileges, and Ian decided to pursue a post in the Alchemy Department.
• Kieran summoned El, Ian, and Bren for individual discussions and called Ian in first; Ian asked to join the Alchemy Department and explained that he had acquired an alchemy inheritance.
• Kieran agreed to arrange Ian a post through his connection to the department, but warned that earning merits and a recommendation would be difficult.
• Kieran offered to exchange Ian’s two knowledge slots for a complete First Ring alchemist legacy, and Ian accepted before leaving the room.
• Flynn greeted Ian with congratulations as he stepped outside.

After advancing to the middle stage of Rank One, Ian gained new opportunities and was appointed an intermediate researcher in the Alchemy Department. He arrived at Deep Red Fortress and met August Fisher, the deputy head of the department.

• Flynn and the Wizards congratulated Ian on his advancement, while El resolved to surpass him at the front lines.
• At Flynn’s salon, Ian learned that war was imminent and told the group he planned to join the Alchemy Department.
• Flynn’s companions offered Ian connections and cooperation, including potential benefits for the Horton Wizard School.
• Kieran assigned Ian to the Alchemy Department’s Research Division as an intermediate researcher on a wartime project team led by August Fisher.
• Ian arrived at Deep Red Fortress, showed his identification to the guards, and was escorted to meet August Fisher.

Ian joined Augustus’s wartime alchemy project team on a provisional basis, despite not being an alchemist. He had three months to become a First Ring alchemist or leave, and he began familiarizing himself with his new laboratory.

• Ian reported to Augustus, who tested his ability to analyze a First Ring fire rune and allowed him to stay on the team temporarily.
• Augustus gave Ian three months to become a First Ring alchemist, explaining that many Wizards objected to his appointment.
• Augustus told Ian that Kieran had exchanged for an alchemy inheritance covering the Zero Ring through First Ring stages.
• Xia escorted Ian through the project’s laboratory complex and showed him his equipped workspace, where he was assigned to analyze Crimson Eye fire runes beginning the next day.
• After Xia left, Ian resolved to become a First Ring alchemist within three months.

Ian joined the Alchemy Department, faced resentment from researchers who believed he had secured his position through connections, and began studying alchemy and deciphering a Rank One Witchcraft Artifact. After earning recognition and rewards for analyzing a rune, he went to take the Zero-Ring Alchemist assessment.

• Ian studied Augustus's alchemical inheritance and met Motuo, who explained the department's rules as they went to a meeting.
• Motuo told Ian that Nico had lost an intermediate researcher position to a well-connected newcomer, and Ian admitted that newcomer was him.
• After the meeting, Ian learned the requirements for advancing as an alchemist, gathered materials, and began practicing in his laboratory.
• Xia delivered a damaged Moltenfire Armor and asked Ian to decipher one of its runes within three months; Ian used his rune knowledge and Principle Insight to analyze one.
• Ian submitted his analysis to Mia, who awarded him one thousand contribution points and one hundred battle merits.
• Ian went to the Examination Department and requested the Zero-Ring Alchemist assessment, surprising the examining Wizard.

Ian advanced from an advanced zero-ring alchemist toward a first-ring alchemist, refining materials and attempting to craft a White Crystal Staff while war intensified near the Crimson Eye. After nearly three months of preparation, he requested the Rank One Alchemist examination and learned Augusto and Xia would oversee it.

• Ian earned three bronze stars as an advanced zero-ring alchemist, exchanged contribution points for the Crystal Staff blueprint, and began practicing with White Crystal.
• Augusto inspected Ian's Deadwood Staff and rune analyses, praised their quality, and decided Ian could remain on the wartime project team if he successfully refined three materials by the deadline.
• Ian learned Microscopic Eye and Smelting Hand, practiced refining White Crystal and other staff materials, and attended a project meeting as the border conflict with the Crimson Eye began.
• Ian attempted to craft a White Crystal Staff but ruined all three sets of materials, then continued training until his material-refining skills and two core Wizardry spells reached Master Level.
• After nearly three months, Ian applied to take the Rank One Alchemist examination and discovered Augusto and Xia had been assigned as his examiners.