Chapter Summaries

Ian returned to Horton Wizard School to prepare for advancement, where Horton gave him thirty thousand Magic Stones to support him. That night, Vilo visited Ian, while Horton killed a First Ring Wizard who had crept toward Ian’s room.

• Ian studied Kieran’s notes on rune imprints and realized they could affect his advancement, though cultivating more forms of Wizardry would require additional resources.
• Ian returned to Horton Wizard School, greeted its members, and told Horton he was ready to focus on preparing for advancement.
• Horton gave Ian thirty thousand Magic Stones and urged him to advance to a Rank One Wizard so he could pursue the Jade Shadow Legacy.
• Ian spent the day sharing experiences with the school’s Wizards, then welcomed Vilo when she visited him that night.
• A First Ring Wizard approached Ian’s room with killing intent, but Horton intercepted and killed him with a mass of vegetation.

After an assassin attacked Ian, he reported his suspicions about Harold to Kieran. Kieran confirmed Harold’s guilt, expelled him, and sent him to the Academy’s most dangerous front line, while urging Ian to advance to the First Ring.

• Ian discovered that Horton had captured an assassin who had tried to kill him, and he suspected Harold had ordered the attack.
• Ian and Peter brought the unconscious assassin to Four Symbols Academy, where Horton explained that the captive’s brain had been destroyed and his memories blocked.
• Ian told Kieran his suspicions about Harold and revealed that he believed he met the requirements to fuse runes into a mental power crystal.
• Harold arrived, reacted upon seeing Ian, and confessed to hiring the assassin after Kieran bluffed him.
• Kieran expelled Harold from Elemental Mysteries and sent him to the Academy’s most dangerous combat zone, then told Ian to advance to the First Ring.

Ian learned that Harold would be sent to war, accepted an apology and advancement resources from the Silver Leaf Family, and received more resources from Audrey. After two or three months of preparation, he entered a high-grade Elemental Pool and began advancing to the First Ring.

• Ian learned that the assassin organization had been wiped out and that Harold would be sent to war, while the Academy cleared the Silver Leaf Family of responsibility.
• The Silver Leaf Wizard apologized to Ian, gave him ten thousand Magic Stones, swore not to harm him, and warned that Harold's brother Harosen might seek trouble.
• Ian realized he had forgotten his appointment with Audrey, apologized, and accepted the advancement resources she had brought, including her own prepared set.
• After two or three months, Ian reached his spiritual-power limit and chose to advance rather than continue improving his foundation.
• Ian asked Kieran for access to a high-grade Elemental Pool, demonstrated his proficiency with Flame Hand, and received approval to use the pool for a week.
• Ian entered the high-grade Elemental Pool, drank a Soul-Burning Potion, and began his advancement.

Ian used powerful potions, elemental energy, and prepared materials to advance into a First-Ring Wizard and form a Mental Power crystal. He then began strengthening his foundation by drawing the essence from his bound sorcery runes, absorbing a surge of elements from beyond the depleted Elemental Pool.

• Ian drank the Soul-Burning and Purification Potions, then applied the Life Force Recovery Potion as the strain threatened to overwhelm his body.
• Ian endured the process and condensed the First-Ring Raging Flame rune in his Mental Power Space.
• Ian formed a Mental Power crystal around the Blazing Flame Grip imprint and became a First-Ring Wizard.
• Ian drew special auras from more than a hundred runes, absorbing prepared materials and elements to strengthen his foundation.
• The high-grade Elemental Pool briefly ran hollow, but a much stronger flow of elements soon flooded into it, and Ian absorbed it.

Ian advanced to First Ring Wizard in the advanced Elemental Pool, where his attempt to form an Elemental Crown produced only a partial crown. After assessing his greatly increased mental power and abilities, he left the pool and was congratulated by the gray-robed Wizard.

• The gray-robed Wizard realized Ian was advancing and, at Kieran’s direction, diverted elements from a top-tier pool while Kieran concealed the forming phenomenon.
• Kieran saw that Ian’s Elemental Crown formed only a base, then altered the gray-robed Wizard’s memories and told him to send Ian to Kieran later.
• Ian examined his expanded Mental Power Space and stronger mental-power crystal, then tested his new mental-power field and ability to levitate himself.
• Ian found a partial Elemental Crown in his Mental Power Space, recognized that his talent had limited its formation, and decided he might complete it if his talent improved.
• After five days in the pool, Ian opened the door and the gray-robed Wizard congratulated him on advancing to First Ring Wizard.

After advancing to Rank 1, Ian received compensation from Allen and registered as an official wizard. With access to the core area of the Elemental Mysteries, he returned to the place where he had once seen hundreds of thousands of black lines.

• Allen apologized to Ian for taking too many Magic Stones and gave him a Space Ring containing twenty thousand Magic Stones.
• Allen told Ian that Kieran had visited during his advancement and that the mentor had provided energy from a top-tier Elemental Pool.
• Ian went to the Identity Management Office, where Tilan registered his advancement and issued him a new badge.
• Ian entered the core area of the Elemental Mysteries and, after several hours of travel, reached a valley surrounded by an Elemental Wizard Array.
• Ian looked up and saw the sky-covering black lines again.

Ian confirmed that the black lines in the central valley converged on a single piece of knowledge, then learned about the privileges and duties of a first-ring wizard. He accepted Kieran’s offer to become his formal student and headed to the Training Ground to test his new strength.

• Ian saw more than a hundred thousand black lines converge into the heart of the central valley, but his badge prevented him from entering.
• Kieran explained the benefits of first-ring status, the Illusion Tower grading system, and the academy duties Ian could choose after being graded.
• Ian asked about the seized magical field belonging to Horton Wizard School, and Kieran said the Academy could handle the matter or Ian could settle it himself.
• Kieran gave Ian the first-ring Four Symbols Resonance Method and asked him to become his formal student; Ian accepted.
• Ian registered as Kieran’s official student, messaged Horton about his advancement and the magical fields, and informed Audrey before entering the Training Ground.

Audrey learned that Ian had advanced to the First Ring and become Kieran’s student, while Horton killed Old Harker over a disputed magic field and was cleared by the City of Elements’ Tribunal. Ian tested his new abilities, struggled to learn the Four Symbols Resonance Method until Principle Insight helped him begin, and then left to attend the next exchange meeting.

• Audrey told Cassian and Fisher that Ian had advanced to the First Ring and joined Kieran, prompting Cassian to approve further sponsorship.
• Horton killed Old Harker over the magic field, then the Tribunal released Horton and arrested Old Harker’s Lineage for interfering with Kieran’s student’s school assets.
• Ian tested his First Ring strength, Flame Hand, and spiritual force field, and found that he could fly only a short distance for a limited time.
• Ian spent more than a week failing to learn the Four Symbols Resonance Method before using Principle Insight to reach its beginner level.
• Ian circulated the new Meditation Method, felt his mental power increase, and left to attend the Four Symbols Academy’s next exchange meeting.

Ian arrived at Kieran’s gathering after advancing to the first ring, where he learned about first-ring cultivation and his teacher’s expectations. After meeting Kieran’s other students, Ian discovered that his Four Symbols Resonance Meditation Method had apparently been a bad choice.

• Ian met Milo on his way to Kieran’s castle, and Milo questioned whether Ian could last as Kieran’s student.
• Ian arrived to find Kieran’s students expecting him to be absent, then surprised them by revealing his first-ring advancement.
• Kieran explained first-ring cultivation, answered questions from Ian and Andre, and offered his students free Mental Power crystals and purification potions each quarter.
• Kieran inspected the students’ assigned work, expelled one Wizard for repeated failure, and told Ian and Andre to clear the Illusion Tower’s eleventh floor within a year.
• Flynn Cooper introduced Ian to Kieran’s other students and asked which Meditation Method Ian practiced.
• Flynn and Fran reacted with dismay when Ian confirmed that he had chosen Four Symbols Resonance, calling him another student who had been conned by Kieran.

Ian learned that his Meditation Method required Expert-level proficiency to advance, but remained confident in his improving talent and entered the Illusion Tower to test himself. Elsewhere, the Silver Leaf family was relieved Ian had become Kieran’s student, while the Verdant Shadow family failed to reconcile with Horton; Ian’s first challenge on the tower’s eleventh floor ended with him discovering the simulated wizard was weaker than expected.

• Flynn and the other students warned Ian that his difficult Meditation Method had caused past students to be expelled, while Peter invited him out and explained the high turnover among Kieran’s students.
• Ian chose a villa in the Four Symbols Academy and then headed for the Illusion Tower to inspect its eleventh floor.
• The Silver Leaf Wizard was relieved that his family had compensated Ian, while Jules and the Verdant Shadow elders sent Horton five thousand Magic Stones to repair their relationship; Horton returned the money.
• Ian paid the entry fee and quickly cleared the Illusion Tower’s first ten floors.
• On the eleventh floor, Ian’s flaming tentacles shattered the simulated Ring of Earth wizard’s earthen wall, and Ian realized the opponent was not very strong.

Ian discovered that his foundation made him much stronger than other newly advanced First-Ring Wizards, then spent the months before his quarterly assessment acquiring resources and studying First-Ring Wizardry. After clearing the Illusion Tower's eleventh floor, he headed to Castle No. 3 for the assessment.

• Ian deliberately lost his Illusion Tower duel to hide his strength and avoid completing the mission before the three-month mark.
• Ian collected Mental Power Crystals and purification potions, then studied the Everlasting Body Tempering Method and found its materials costly.
• Audrey secured Ian sponsorship worth twenty thousand Magic Stones a year and a thirty percent resource discount in exchange for accompanying her to a banquet.
• Ian used his discount to buy Wizardry materials and practiced the Robe of Fire Source, Hand of Fire Source, and Eye of Fire Source.
• Ian cleared the Illusion Tower's eleventh floor and, three days later, went to Castle No. 3 for the quarterly assessment.

Kieran explained that the White Stone Territory’s five remaining Wizard factions had emerged after half of its academies were destroyed, and warned that Elemental Mysteries might clash with Crimson Eye within the next few years. During the quarterly assessment, Andre chose a second-class post, while Ian earned the right to select a first-class post and reviewed three options.

• Kieran described the White Stone Territory’s five Wizard factions and said that five academies had been destroyed in the past century through conflict and annexation.
• Kieran warned that war with Crimson Eye could come in five, ten, or twenty years, with smaller clashes possibly beginning in five.
• Andre passed the eleventh floor and chose the Quiet Forest Potion Garden Inspector post.
• Kieran announced that Ian had passed the eleventh floor within three months and could choose a first-class post.
• Ian examined three first-class options: captain of the Storm Spear Battle Group, deputy scheduling inspector at the Academy Central Hub’s Elemental Pool, or quality inspection supervisor at the Lava Crystal Mine.

Ian chose the Lava Crystal Mine quality inspection supervisor position after learning it contained ancient fire-pattern runes, then learned that Kieran would award one Elemental Crown Scholarship slot based on the Wizards’ progress over the next three years. Ian resolved to compete for the scholarship and grow stronger before the Academy’s future war.

• Ian compared three Academy assignments and chose the Lava Crystal Mine quality inspection supervisor position because its fire-pattern stone walls could contain valuable runes.
• Kieran approved Ian’s choice, noted that deciphering the runes could earn him more contribution points, and gave him a week to rest before starting.
• Kieran announced that he would select one of the newly advanced first-ring Wizards for the Elemental Crown Scholarship based on their progress over three years.
• Kieran explained that the scholarship included access to the Main Academy Secret Realm, contribution points, resources, and expanded library permissions.
• Ian resolved to compete against Andre and El for the scholarship and advance beyond the early first-ring stage before war began.

Ian prepared to oversee quality inspection at the Lava Crystal Pit, received a generous gift from Isaac, and began learning the Eye of Harmonization during the journey. At the mine, he met its administrators and noticed hostility in Grayson Firehammer's eyes.

• Ian chose the Lava Crystal Pit assignment, bought supplies, and learned that his talent limited how often he could absorb mental power crystals and purification potions.
• Audrey, Vilo, Chris, Horton, and others saw Ian off, and Horton told him the school would soon support him with Veridian Grass.
• Green Wing and Sam delivered a Knowledge Crystal from Isaac, and Ian boarded the airship for the Lava Crystal Pit.
• Ian found that Isaac's gift contained teachings for a First Ring potion maker, the Eye of Harmonization, and formulas for three basic potions, then studied the spell during the trip.
• Ian arrived at the Lava Crystal Pit and met chief administrator Magnus Stonefurnace and security head Grayson Firehammer, whose gaze seemed hostile.

Ian toured the Molten Fire Abyss mine and took over the quality inspection area from Grayson. He discovered three fragments bearing natural Fire Runes and began examining them.

• Magnus showed Ian the mine’s three levels and explained their dangers, ore, and the inspection supervisor’s duties.
• Magnus led Ian to the quality inspection area, where Grayson handed over its control crystal and Lina was assigned to train him.
• Lina showed Ian the inspection equipment and the backlog of lava crystal ore he would need to catalog.
• Lina opened a locked cabinet and revealed three Fire Rune stone fragments with natural runes.
• Ian recognized the fragments’ natural runes and told Lina to bring them to the laboratory for examination.

Ian studied fire runes at the mine, raising his aptitude while preparing for a dangerous trip to its second level. When Lava Crystal Lizards attacked, he revealed overwhelming power and killed them all with fiery tentacles.

• Ian learned the Spark Rune, then studied it alongside the Flowing Fire Rune and the Scorching Rune as his fire magic advanced.
• Grayson persuaded Magnus to bring Ian to the second level of the mine, where they expected harsh conditions and dangerous beasts to test him.
• Ian raised two runes to Master Level, gaining fifty aptitude points from each, and prepared alchemical bombs as a safeguard before the descent.
• Magnus and Grayson accompanied Ian and a group of miners into the second level, where dozens of Lava Crystal Lizards attacked.
• Grayson let two First Ring lizards charge Ian, but Ian killed them and the remaining beasts with fiery tentacles, stunning the other Wizards.

Ian impressed Magnus in the mine, gained access to Fire Runes stones and a share of the mine’s unofficial income, and spent the next two months studying runes and improving his abilities. After three months away, he returned to Elemental Mysteries to collect resources and continue his training.

• Ian and his companions defeated their opponents, then explored the mine’s second level, where Ian studied a Fire Runes wall but struggled with the heat and made no progress.
• Magnus offered Ian twelve Fire Runes stones, and Grayson abandoned his hostility after recognizing Ian’s strength.
• Magnus divided the mine’s unofficial monthly income among himself, Ian, Grayson, and Cecil, giving Ian a share worth about two thousand Magic Stones a month.
• Over the next two months, Ian learned three runes, raised Flame Hand to Expert Level, improved his Meditation Method, and increased his mental power to 4/100.
• After three months, Ian boarded an Airship back to the Academy and arrived at Elemental Mysteries a day later.

Ian returned to the Lava Crystal Mine and spent months improving his Wizardry and learning Fire Pattern Runes, while preparations for new settlements near the Crimson Eye warned him that war was approaching. The chapter ended with Ian finishing all the runes on the Fire Pattern stone blocks and reaching 2600 talent points.

• Ian submitted the mine records, bought Wizardry resources, and received Kieran's notes after meeting his progress requirements at Four Symbols Academy.
• Ian learned that Elemental Mysteries was preparing new settlements to the east and resolved to strengthen himself before the war and secure a scholarship in three years.
• Horton gave Ian two thousand Magic Stones before Ian returned to the Lava Crystal Mine.
• Ian advanced several Wizardry skills, including Crystal Skin Rune and Eye of Harmonization, and improved his fire resistance by studying Fire Pattern Runes.
• Ian learned all the runes on the Fire Pattern stone blocks and raised his talent to 2600 points.

Ian improved his talent, entered the mine’s second level to study Fire Pattern Runes, and continued training there while fighting Fire Lizards. After a year of progress, he returned to the mine with the goal of improving his Meditation Method further.

• Ian raised his talent to 2600 points and found he could now use two Mental Power crystals per quarter.
• Ian told Magnus he intended to remain on the mine’s second level, and Magnus gave him a communication crystal and warned the other supervisors to be ready to help.
• When Magnus and the others went to check on Ian after three days, they found him studying the stone wall among the corpses of several Fire Lizards, including a mid Rank 1 beast.
• Ian received a map of the first and second mine levels, then returned to the Academy each month to buy resources and report his progress.
• Kieran offered to lend Ian the Fire Pattern stone wall at Molten Fire Academy if he raised his Meditation Method another level within a year.
• Ian returned to the second level and spent a year training and studying the Fire Pattern Runes.

Ian completed his study of the second level’s three remaining Fire Pattern Runes and reflected on how their modest combat benefits might conceal greater potential. After a year of growth at the mine, he returned to the Academy to report to Kieran and take his assessment.

• Ian advanced Layered Form Rune to Master Level, completing his study of the three remaining First Ring Fire Pattern Runes on the second level.
• Ian reviewed his increased talent and strength, noted that he had spent most of his resources, and considered the Fire Pattern Runes’ possible deeper significance.
• Ian left the second level, where the fire lizards fled from him after a year of his training and hunting.
• Magnus offered Ian a larger share of the mine’s resources, but Ian said the arrangement would wait until he returned from the Academy.
• Ian boarded the arriving Airship and headed back to the Academy.