Chapter Summaries

After Ian killed Hal, Mickey destroyed the traces of the ambush and returned to the School unnoticed. The next morning, Ian learned that Hal’s death had been discovered and went with Farn to face the investigation, where he reunited with Inspector Lightning Layton.

• Mickey watched Ian’s attack on Hal, then used a hurricane to erase the remaining traces before secretly returning to the School.
• Ian reviewed the ambush over breakfast and considered ways to improve his defenses while anticipating an investigation.
• Farn arrived and told Ian that Hal was dead and Minister Vivian had summoned the Potions Department.
• Ian and Farn hurried to the department, where patrol wizards were questioning its members.
• Lightning Layton acknowledged Ian’s status and led him toward Vivian to discuss what had happened.

The School investigated Hal’s death, then uncovered a Blackstone School plot that explained why Vivian had been cleared. Doug mourned Hal and resolved to focus on Cold Wind Market, still unaware that Ian had killed his subordinate.

• Layton questioned Vivian and the Potions Department after showing evidence that Hal had died at a site of powerful destruction, and he confined the department during the investigation.
• Ian gave Layton an alibi for the previous day, and the patrol team cleared him after checking Chris and other evidence.
• After three days, Vivian returned to the Potions Department and the lockdown ended, while Ian learned that patrol wizards had uncovered Blackstone School agents, alchemical bombs, and spies inside the School.
• Ian realized that the Blackstone School’s plan to attack the Potions and Alchemy Departments would have endangered Vivian and him, and that Hal’s death had inadvertently spared them.
• Doug learned that Hal had died, rejected the School’s claim that a Blackstone School wizard was responsible, and decided to focus on Cold Wind Market while planning to gain control of the Potions Department.

After opening Hal’s Space Ring, Ian suspected its large stockpile of supplies had been meant for Blackstone School wizards and submitted an accusation against Doug, but the report disappeared. Ian advanced to Second-class Apprentice Witch, joined the Potions Department’s inner circle at Vivian’s dinner, and began learning about the resources and influence available to second-class apprentices.

• Ian opened Hal’s Space Ring and found numerous Magic Stones, potions, magical plants, and potion-making materials, leading him to suspect Hal had been supplying a group connected to Blackstone School and that Doug might be involved.
• Ian secretly submitted an accusation against Doug, but the letter quickly vanished.
• Ian exchanged his badge for a brass one after displaying the Mental Power of a Second-class Apprentice Witch.
• Granger congratulated Ian and took him to meet Vivian, who invited him to dinner with the Potions Department’s senior members.
• Ian attended Vivian’s dinner, met Holly, Gray, Podi, and Aura, and heard about the department’s resources, family coordination, and division of benefits.

After Ian advanced to a Second-class Apprentice Witch, the Silver Moon Lake Family kept his resources intact and he moved into a new house on Maple Leaf Avenue. There he discovered that Shirley, his former companion in the Mutual Aid Society, had been assigned as his Servant Witch.

• Chance Silver Moon Lake planned to reduce Ian’s resources, but after hearing of his advancement, he decided to continue providing Ian with his normal share.
• Ian chose House Number Fifteen on Maple Leaf Avenue and selected Shirley as his Servant Witch, along with a household servant and a cook.
• Maine Thomas helped Ian move his belongings to his new residence.
• Shirley waited anxiously to learn who her new master would be, then recognized Ian when he arrived.
• Ian greeted Shirley, and she bowed and formally addressed him as Lord Ian.

After advancing to second-class, Ian spent heavily on new Wizardry and acquired advanced versions of the Guidance Technique and Glimmering Eye. With Vivian's help securing access to resources, he prepared to continue improving his abilities and aimed to raise his talent to five hundred points.

• Ian expanded his laboratory plans and went to the Academy library to choose second-class Wizardry.
• Ian purchased Elemental Veins, Wind Pressure, Water Curtain Barrier, and Water Snake Bite for seven hundred Magic Stones.
• Vivian explained that second-class Wizards had to complete tasks to obtain resources and advised Ian to resume potion-making.
• Vivian told Ian that his Cultivation Sequence status let him purchase the Potion Heritage directly.
• Ian obtained the advanced Glimmering Eyes and Spiritual Guidance Technique for eight hundred Magic Stones, then set his next goal of raising his talent to five hundred points.

Ian initiated Elemental Veins, assessed the new laboratory’s profits, and learned that the war had killed Alfie. He resolved to focus on raising his Mental Power and reaching Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice before the conflict worsened.

• Ian tested Elemental Veins and found that its elemental armor could wear away an incoming wind blade, though the wizardry required many resources.
• Zoe returned after Podi and other Intermediate Potion Masters refused to take him in, but Ian dismissed his request to rejoin.
• Farn reported that Ian’s new laboratory had five Junior Potion Masters, ten unadvanced Potion Masters, and forty-five servants, with an estimated monthly profit of two hundred Magic Stones; Ian rewarded Farn and Jesse.
• At a Mutual Aid Society gathering, Ian learned that William had been transferred to Cold Wind Market and that Alfie had been killed by the Blackstone School.
• Ian decided to prioritize increasing his Mental Power and set Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice as his new goal, then gave resources to Logan, Coro, and Emily and asked them to keep calling him Ian.

Over six months, Ian used the Potions Department’s resources to strengthen his runes, wizardry, and talent, reaching five hundred talent points. The Cold Wind Market battle ended in Horton Wizard School’s victory, and Ian saw Doug return with the victorious Wizards, renewing his resolve to kill him.

• Ian condensed the Tide Rune, began condensing the Cornerstone Rune, and advanced his wizardry through intensive study and training.
• Ian’s talent reached five hundred points, placing him among the first-tier Wizards at his school.
• Ian realized that much low-level wizardry had been derived from higher-level spells and decided to focus on learning stronger wizardry.
• Ian headed to the Potions Department and saw the victorious Wizards return from the Cold Wind Market battlefield.
• Ian spotted Doug receiving praise for his service, met his sinister glance, and decided that Doug had to die.

Ian learned that the School’s wartime reforms introduced contribution points, required potion masters and logistics staff to take outside missions, and abolished the Potion Strategic Reserve Office. With Vivian’s influence diminished and his access to graystone ore disrupted, Ian went to the Castle’s new task hall to exchange resources.

• Victor told Ian that Vivian had been summoned to a meeting with the School’s upper ranks, and Farn later summoned the potion masters to hear the new policies.
• Hyde announced a contribution point system, mandatory outside missions for potion masters and logistics personnel, and the abolition of the Potion Strategic Reserve Office.
• The reforms strengthened Doug’s control over potion missions, reduced the resources Ian could earn through the laboratory, and left Vivian’s side with fewer opportunities.
• Ian realized he could no longer obtain graystone ore through Vivian’s channels and went to the Castle’s task hall to exchange for resources.
• Hoven Evan recognized Ian, offered to take him to private exchange rooms, and led him inside.

Ian took a garrison assignment at Grayrock Mine so he could obtain more grayrock stone for his mental-power training, then began preparing for the trip. He left to buy supplies from Joz, who learned about the assignment.

• Ian learned that grayrock stone purchases were limited, but serving as a garrison wizard at Grayrock Mine would let him exchange for two extra units each month.
• Ian accepted the mine garrison assignment and received an alert crystal and assignment certificate from Hoven.
• Mowen reflected that Ian seemed more capable than the weakest member of the cultivation sequence was supposed to be.
• Ian checked his potion supplies and went to the Alchemy Department to buy additional tools and supplies from Joz.
• Joz recognized Ian, welcomed him into the laboratory, and raised his eyebrows when Ian said he was going to Grayrock Mine.

Ian bought alchemical tools for the journey and learned that Grayrock Mine’s reduced output might have been caused by someone inside the School. After traveling with a School expedition, he reached the mine, where the mission began.

• Ian bought enchanted boots, Sentry Eyes, and a searchlight from Joz, who warned him that the missing ore might have been handled internally.
• Three days later, Ian joined an expedition led by Instructor Charles and saw Levi among the travelers.
• As the group passed through Veridian Forest, Ian observed the weaker magic power and the wandering wizards living there.
• Levi challenged Ian to a fight, but Ian refused, and the confrontation ended without a battle.
• The expedition traveled without encountering any Magic Beasts and reached Grayrock Mine at noon the next day.

Ian arrived at a mine in Veridian Forest and discovered that its garrison wizards, Lucien and Downs, were plotting to betray the school and seize its resources. After learning they planned to attack in three nights, Ian called for backup.

• Ian reached the mine and met Lucien and Downs, who claimed they were exhausted from fighting magic beasts and offered to handle his duties.
• Ian bought two units of gray limestone from Downs, then used his detection methods to overhear the pair discussing their plan.
• Lucien and Downs revealed they had stolen and sold school resources and intended to join forces with the Blackstone School to capture the mine in three nights.
• Ian learned that Lucien and Downs planned to flee with the stolen resources after the attack, and he used a warning crystal to call for backup.

Ian alerted the school that Lucien and Downs planned to betray it and helped Charles's core combat squad prepare an ambush at Grayrock Mine. As the group waited in Ian's room on the third night, Ian and Charles sensed the enemy's arrival at the same moment.

• Ian reported Lucien and Downs's betrayal plans to Minister Hyde, who dispatched the nearest core combat squad.
• Ian searched for the hidden ore, then met Charles's squad west of the mine and agreed to help keep Lucien and Downs unsuspecting.
• Charles planned for his squad to ambush the Black Market School wizards while Ian received them from inside the mine.
• Ian returned to the mine and kept watch as Lucien and Downs gradually relaxed over the next two days.
• On the third night, Charles, Levi, and another Apprentice Witch concealed themselves in Ian's room with him.
• Charles and Ian sensed the enemy's arrival together, and Charles led the others out to prepare for battle.

Lucien and Downs helped the Blackstone School wizards attack the mine, but a guard raised the alarm and Charles’s squad trapped them in battle. Ian pursued the pair through the mine toward Veridian Forest, while Levi went after him and lost the trail at a dead end.

• Lucien and Downs froze and restrained the guards, then waited for the Blackstone School wizards to approach the mine.
• A guard broke free and sounded the alarm, prompting Charles to attack as Blackstone School’s wizards turned on Lucien and Downs.
• Charles and the squad trapped the attackers behind a barrier and fought them as reinforcements joined the battle.
• Ian noticed Lucien and Downs fleeing deeper into the mine, followed their magical trails through to Veridian Forest, and kept after them toward Gray Rock.
• Charles sent Levi to support Ian, but Levi reached a dead end in the mine and could not find the route.

Ian caught up with Lucien and Downs and used their attacks to practice his Wizardry, easily overpowering both men. After killing them and taking their belongings, he buried the loot and headed back toward the mine.

• Lucien and Downs decided to flee with their resources, blaming Ian for the failure of their plan.
• Ian emerged from the forest, and Lucien and Downs attacked him with ice and vines.
• Ian dodged and countered their spells, realizing he could use the fight to hone his combat skills.
• Lucien fled while Downs was pinned down, and Lucien drank a Burning Mental Power Potion before charging Ian at close range.
• Ian’s armor dissolved Lucien’s ice attack, and water serpents overwhelmed him; Ian then killed Downs and took their belongings.
• Ian buried the loot and headed back toward the mine.

Ian returned safely after pursuing Lucien and Downs, and the School rewarded him for helping defend Grayrock Mine. After uncovering a large cache of stolen Grayrock in the two fugitives’ Space Rings, he completed his month-long assignment and returned to the School.

• Ian returned to Grayrock Mine after covering his tracks, and Charles and Levi welcomed him back with relief.
• Charles praised Ian’s contribution to defeating the Blackstone School squad and promised him a share of the rewards.
• Wizard Seamus arrived, awarded Ian at least five hundred contribution points and exceptional-grade knowledge, and arranged for the mine’s guard duty to be taken over.
• The School investigated the attack, issued five-hundred-Magic-Stone bounties for Lucien and his companion, and Charles’s squad left for the front lines.
• Ian retrieved and opened the two hidden Space Rings, discovering nearly fifty units of Grayrock and other valuables worth several hundred Magic Stones.
• After the mission reached one month, Ian returned to the School with resources worth nearly two thousand Magic Stones in total.

After returning to school, Ian learned from Hyde that the war was a contest between Official Wizards over Horton’s attempt to heal his injured Mental Power. With the ritual seven months away, Ian decided to use every resource available to reach Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice and flee before the conflict erupted.

• Ian returned to school and accepted Hyde’s invitation to dinner, where Hyde introduced him to his daughter Isa.
• Hyde explained that Horton had been injured seven years earlier and that the Blackstone School had started the war to test whether Horton had recovered.
• Hyde told Ian that Horton planned to hold a healing ritual in seven months, when the conflict could escalate into a major upheaval.
• Ian decided to pursue Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice as quickly as possible and escape the school before the war between the Official Wizards began.

Ian realized he could raise his talent and complete his runes in time to become a Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice, but the Deep Blue No. 1 Potion cost far more contribution points than he had. After Hoven pointed out the school’s high-reward potion missions, Ian recognized that his skills made them achievable and left determined to use his abilities.

• Ian calculated that mastering several skills and studying potion-making could raise his talent to 600 within six months, while he worked to finish condensing his runes.
• Ian learned from Hoven that the Deep Blue No. 1 Potion cost two thousand contribution points, a price driven higher by the war with Blackstone School and disrupted trade.
• Ian realized he had too few contribution points to afford the potion and could not simply exchange Magic Stones for more.
• Hoven suggested Ian pursue high-value potion missions, prompting Ian to recognize that his Master-level potion skills made those missions attainable.
• Ian thanked Hoven, wished him success, and left the Castle with a clearer sense of his own abilities.

Ian exchanged for the Energy Potion formula and began learning to prepare it under Vivian's supervision. When he tried making one himself, Vivian was shocked by his advanced Wizardry and four layers of Mental Power.

• Ian decided to exchange for the Energy Potion formula and use potion tasks to earn contribution points while improving his other abilities.
• Ian asked Vivian for more Energy Potion tasks, and she offered to teach him while preparing a batch in her laboratory.
• Ian studied the formula and watched Vivian prepare the potion, realizing that his experience made the process seem easier than expected.
• Ian asked to try preparing an Energy Potion, and Vivian watched as he used the Radiant Eye and formed four layers of Mental Power fields.

Ian impressed Vivian by brewing an Energy Potion successfully on his first attempt, then saw Vivian’s department weakened by Holly and Aura leaving for Doug’s side. A month later, Ian advanced Radiant Eye to Master Level while his Energy Potion skill remained just short of Expert.

• Ian prepared an Energy Potion successfully on his first attempt and gained Beginner proficiency in the skill.
• Vivian invited Ian to dinner and reassessed his potential as a future Advanced Potion Master.
• At the gathering, Holly announced he would transfer to Doug’s side, and Aura soon left as well.
• Vivian assigned more Energy Potion work to Ian and personally guided his study as more department members departed.
• After a month of practice, Ian brought Radiant Eye to Master Level, raising his Talent from 500 to 520.

After advancing his Radiant Eye and Spiritual Guidance Technique to Master Level, Ian improved his Energy Potion and built up contribution points and resources. He finally condensed the Cornerstone Rune in an advanced Meditation Room.

• Ian used his Master Level Radiant Eye to observe ingredients more deeply, brewed a high-quality Energy Potion, and realized he might be able to improve its formula.
• Ian sensed that Wizard Horton's Wizard Tower seemed drained and decided to advance quickly and gather as many resources as possible.
• Ian took difficult missions and used the contribution points to improve his abilities, gaining fame throughout the School.
• Ian advanced the Spiritual Guidance Technique to Master Level, then improved the Energy Potion to Master Level and raised his talent to 560 points.
• Ian focused on condensing the Cornerstone Rune, and after half a day of meditation, the gray rock shattered as he completed the rune.