Chapter Summaries

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.

After becoming a Second-class Apprentice Witch, Ian equipped his new Witchcraft Artifacts and settled into his rising status at the Academy. Over the following year and a half, he built his laboratory, received new rune materials, and returned to his studies, while his relationships with Lucy and the Mutual Aid Society shifted.

• Ian imprinted his mental power into the Guardian Robe, Stealth Ring, and Echo Staff, then stored materials and seven mid-grade magic stones in the Space Ring.
• Ian attended invitations from Lineages and Wizards, delegated potion-maker screening to Vivian, and selected three candidates who helped establish his laboratory.
• Ian refused Hal's invitation to meet outside the school and privately resolved to kill him once he was strong enough.
• Lucy delivered Ian a hundred magic stones as an apology gift, but later admitted she had not sincerely apologized and remained haughty.
• Ian received a new contract from Chris that included Silver Moon Spring Water, while Mickey provided high-quality wind-attribute feathers, giving Ian materials for two kinds of runes.
• After a meeting with the Mutual Aid Society, Ian sensed distance from its members, especially Emily, then resumed his studies; a year and a half passed.

A year after entering the Cultivation Sequence, Ian had greatly improved his Wizardry and talent while remaining safely at school as conflict between Blackstone School and Horton Wizard School worsened. He left the Training Ground for the Potions Department and realized that an unusual crisis had begun.

• Ian tested Tornado Impact, using the spell to pulverize a massive boulder.
• Ian reviewed his progress over the past year, including fully condensing the Spirit Wind Rune and raising his talent to 434 points.
• Ian decided to pause learning lower-grade Wizardries and seek an opportunity to explain that he had reached Second-class Apprentice Witch.
• Ian noticed that the school was unusually tense, with Wizards rushing around and patrols maintaining order.
• Ian arrived at the Potions Department and found it in a frenzy, realizing something was wrong.

Ian learned that Blackstone School had attacked Horton Wizard School’s Cold Wind Wizard Bazaar, trapping dozens of wizards inside, including Hal’s grandson. As the school focused on the crisis, Ian planned to use the distraction to kill Hal, whom he expected to visit the market in two days.

• Arthur told Ian that Blackstone School had surrounded the Cold Wind Wizard Bazaar and trapped dozens of wizards, while Doug volunteered to go to the front lines.
• Zoe, Arthur, and Jesse discussed leaving Ian’s laboratory after advancing, doubting Ian’s prospects, while Farn remained loyal to him.
• Ian visited Vivian and Victor to ask about the market; Vivian also warned that some Apothecarists wanted him replaced as liaison to the Silver Moon Lake Family.
• Ian resolved to kill Hal during the market crisis and recalled that Hal usually visited the market on Mondays, two days away.

Ian planned to kill Hal, a Second-class Wizard, and secured Lord Mickey's help to cover the aftermath. The next day, Arthur and Zoe chose to leave Ian's laboratory while Jesse stayed as his assistant.

• Ian reviewed Academy patrol schedules and prepared potions and plans for ambushing Hal and concealing the evidence.
• Ian asked Lord Mickey to help erase traces and delay the guard squad, and paid him three mid-grade Magic Stones.
• Arthur told Ian he had advanced to Junior Potion Master and would join Wizard Podi's laboratory, while Zoe chose to work independently.
• Jesse decided to stay with Ian, who assigned her as his assistant.
• After the day's work ended, Ian went to Chris's residence.

Ian stayed overnight at Chris's residence, then secretly left the School and ambushed Hal in the forest. He killed Hal, erased the evidence, and returned to his room before class transfer, leaving the murder undiscovered.

• Chris told Ian that the family could no longer supply Silver Moon Spring Water because of shortages, then invited him to dinner and offered him a room for the night.
• Ian accepted Chris's invitation, but rested alone while Chris lay awake next door, uncertain about her feelings and relieved that he did not visit her.
• Ian left the School at night wearing his Guardian Robe, traveled to a forest, and hid at his prepared ambush site until Hal approached.
• Ian unleashed empowered Chain Wind Blades on Hal, tearing him apart before Hal could react or escape.
• Ian took Hal's storage ring and other surviving items, destroyed the remains with black potion, and concealed the ring.
• Ian slipped back into the School, returned to his room through the window, and went to sleep.