Chapter Summaries

Elder Sindonal, Arl, and Zhi Ye searched Nolan for the World Tree and found a poster featuring a Frost Elf before city Spellcasters confronted them. Sindonal teleported Arl and Zhi Ye to an alley, where they encountered a talking crow.

• Arl, Elder Sindonal, and Zhi Ye walked through Nolan as Sindonal sensed that the humans there were connected to the World Tree.
• Arl led Sindonal and Zhi Ye to a poster showing a Frost Elf, and they suspected the elf had been enslaved for a performance.
• White-robed Spellcasters surrounded the elves and demanded their City Entry Contracts, so Sindonal ordered Arl and Zhi Ye to find the guardian.
• Sindonal attacked the Spellcasters and began teleporting Arl and Zhi Ye, but a powerful Thunder System spell struck him before he completed the escape.
• Arl and Zhi Ye landed in an alley between buildings, where Zhi Ye aimed at a crow that spoke without moving its beak.

Zhi Ye and Arl encountered a Dark Elf while fleeing through Nolan, and the Dark Elf led them into her study to hide from the enforcers. She identified herself as a journalist, though the High Elves did not understand the profession.

• Zhi Ye confronted a crow that transformed into a Dark Elf, while Arl mistakenly wondered whether the sun had changed her skin color.
• The Dark Elf started to leave, but Zhi Ye stopped Arl from following when she heard Nolan's enforcers closing in.
• Zhi Ye and Arl climbed into an open window and hid in a study as people searched the alley.
• The Dark Elf appeared in the study and warned Zhi Ye that she could hand them over to the enforcers.
• The Dark Elf said she was an ordinary journalist, but Zhi Ye and Arl did not understand what a journalist was.

Ciri practiced illusion magic while Joshua explained that he was building the Magic Net for fun and described his plans for immersive games and videos. Their conversation was interrupted by a mysterious Frost Elf, whom Joshua confronted after he drained the corridor of magic.

• Ciri demonstrated five dragon illusions and discussed whether illusion runes could help model games for the Magic Net.
• Joshua told Ciri that the Demon Realm was developing and admitted that his real motivation for building the Magic Net was fun.
• Joshua described plans for realistic multiplayer games and user-created videos, and Ciri said she wanted to help build that future.
• A Frost Elf appeared in the corridor, and his gaze pressured Ciri until Joshua covered her eyes and pulled her close.
• The Frost Elf spoke of Watchers and prepared to break through a wall, but Joshua's gray magic swept the corridor and extinguished its magic; Joshua demanded to know who he was.

Joshua confronted Catalina, a Frost Elf whose hidden dragon nature surfaced, but Tylinn and a white cat named Enlu Xi halted the brewing clash and brought the group toward a conversation. At Daytime News headquarters, Zhi Ye and Arl tried to leave, but the Dark Elf warned them that Nolan’s human population made the city dangerous to navigate alone.

• Catalina demanded that Joshua let her retrieve her race’s sacred relic, while Joshua objected to her violent arrival and told Ciri to keep her eyes closed.
• The Bone Duke appeared behind Joshua and threatened Catalina, whose magic sent frost spreading through the corridor.
• Tylinn called the Bone Duke by her true name, and the appearance of Enlu Xi calmed Catalina and stopped the confrontation.
• Tylinn recognized Catalina as Sister Catalina, and Joshua suggested they sit down for tea.
• At Daytime News headquarters, Arl took a bite of an apple from the Dark Elf’s lunch, then put it back when Zhi Ye objected.
• Zhi Ye prepared to leave with Arl, but the Dark Elf warned them that Nolan was surrounded by humans and they might not be able to protect themselves.

Tylinn and Arl mistook the dark elf’s hospitality for captivity, until a recording of a frost elf narrating Sherlock Holmes revealed the dark elf’s real purpose. The dark elf stopped Arl’s escape spell and offered to take the high elves to the Frost Dragon on her employer Joshua’s orders.

• Arl feared that she and Tylinn would be sold, while Tylinn searched the room for a way to understand their captors.
• Arl began chanting a golem-summoning spell after seeing a World Tree Leaf sealed in a source crystal stone, but Tylinn activated the stone and found a recording of a frost elf telling a Sherlock Holmes story.
• Tylinn became intrigued by Sherlock Holmes’s deductions, while Arl struggled to understand the story and feared the recording showed a tortured captive.
• The dark elf appeared and explained that the recording was an unfinished story, then revealed she knew the high elves were seeking the Frost Dragon.
• The dark elf restrained Arl’s spellcasting and offered to take the pair to the Frost Dragon, explaining that Joshua had asked for their help.

Catalina urged Tylinn to leave Nolan with her, distrustful of humans, but Tylinn refused and explained that the people of Nolan had welcomed her and helped nourish and save the World Tree, Enlu Xi. Catalina was left questioning how the World Tree survived the gray mist’s corruption as Joshua prepared to explain.

• Catalina offered the Ice Dragon black tea, then told Tylinn to leave Nolan with her.
• Tylinn refused, recalling how the gray mist killed her family and the Frost Elves, but insisted that the people of Nolan had not harmed her.
• Catalina warned Tylinn that humans were untrustworthy, while Joshua stopped Ciri and the Bone Duke from intervening.
• Tylinn revealed the white cat, the World Tree, and said Nolan’s people loved her songs and Joshua’s stories.
• Tylinn explained that Joshua and Nolan’s people had saved her and Enlu Xi from the gray mist while Enlu Xi was still a seed.
• Catalina questioned how the World Tree had survived the corruption, and Joshua began to explain.

Joshua showed Catalina how Tylinn’s stories reached Nolan through the Magic Web and how the listeners nourished the World Tree, but Catalina still insisted on taking Tylinn away. Enlu Xi knocked Catalina unconscious, leaving Joshua to decide where to confine her.

• Joshua set up a temporary Hall of Silence so Tylinn could work while Banshees filmed her broadcast.
• Joshua demonstrated the Magic Web to Catalina, who realized that many people in Nolan could hear Tylinn’s stories.
• Catalina saw the World Tree absorbing faith from Tylinn’s listeners and recognized that the Magic Web could help restore the sacred tree.
• Catalina thanked Joshua for aiding the tree but insisted on taking Tylinn away, and Joshua prepared to fight her.
• Enlu Xi sat on Catalina’s head and caused her to collapse unconscious.
• Joshua considered asking Gray Robe for advice and decided Catalina should be locked up until she woke.

The Council of Sages debated the Magic Web and the danger threatening the elves’ World Trees, while the Gray Robe argued that the Frost Elves’ tree needed protection. The sages ended with concert tickets for Tailin’s performance, leaving the Red Robe furious and the Yellow Robe unexpectedly enthusiastic.

• The Red Robe condemned the Magic Web’s influence in Nolan, but the Gray Robe defended its benefits and said it had chosen its users.
• The White-robed One asked the Gray Robe to explain his research, and the Gray Robe connected an ancient text, the Hall of Inquisition, and the elves’ World Tree to a sleeping threat.
• The Yellow Robe revealed that Nolan’s Enforcement Team had captured a High Elf who warned that disaster was coming.
• The Gray Robe argued that Nolan should stay neutral and protect the Frost Elves’ World Tree, while the Purple-robed One said living beings’ faith could nourish it.
• The Gray Robe gave the other sages VIP tickets to Tailin’s concert, and the Yellow Robe admitted he had already bought tickets for himself and his apprentice.

Zhi Ye and Arl followed the Dark Elf to Falosi Manor, where they found the ice dragon asleep and met Tylinn and World Tree Enlu Xi. Tylinn refused Zhi Ye’s invitation to leave Nolan, saying she and Enlu Xi liked the city.

• The Dark Elf drove Zhi Ye and Arl through Nolan in a Magic Mechanical Vehicle, leaving Arl sick from the ride.
• The Dark Elf brought the High Elves to Falosi Manor, where they found the ice dragon unconscious in the indoor garden.
• Tylinn explained that Enlu Xi had put the protector to sleep temporarily, and Zhi Ye recognized Enlu Xi as the World Tree.
• Zhi Ye urged Tylinn to take the ice dragon and return with them to Aserkelo, promising it was a safe sanctuary.
• Tylinn refused to leave Nolan, and Enlu Xi agreed that it liked the city too.

Joshua welcomed two High Elves, Zhi Ye and Arl, to Falosi Manor and hoped to win their trust and learn more about their homeland, Sky City Aserkelo. Zhi Ye found Arl watching a movie and followed her to help heal the ice dragon, then agreed to take her back to the screening as it began.

• Joshua told the manor's staff to treat the wary High Elf guests carefully and announced a holiday for the servants after Tylinn's concert.
• Zhi Ye considered scouting the Nolan Enforcement Team to rescue Elder Sindonal, then discovered Arl had left her room.
• Zhi Ye tracked Arl to a screening room, where Arl was watching a movie and eating popcorn, and struggled to persuade her to leave.
• Arl used High Elf priest magic to purify some of the gray remnants inside the ice dragon, but said removing them all would take a long time.
• After the white cat indicated that the movie was about to begin, Arl eagerly headed back with Zhi Ye.

Zhi Ye accompanied Arl to Falosi Manor’s theater, where Arl cried over two films and Zhi Ye became absorbed in the bloody story of Léon and Mathilda. The chapter ended with Zhi Ye weeping over Léon’s death while Arl eagerly waited for another movie.

• Zhi Ye stayed with Arl in the theater and fell asleep during a film about Belle and a beast.
• Arl woke Zhi Ye crying over the beast’s death, and the two remained as another movie began.
• Zhi Ye watched Léon, an assassin, meet Mathilda after her family was murdered and become invested in their story.
• Léon died while escaping the enforcers, leaving Mathilda to plant his potted plant.
• Arl offered Zhi Ye a handkerchief, and Zhi Ye wept while Arl replaced her popcorn and looked forward to the next film.

Joshua arranged Tailin’s schedule for her concert and planned to take her and the High Elves to the Nolan Enforcement Department before bringing her to the Magic Arena. In the department’s prison, Elder Sindonal learned that humans admired elven music and was unexpectedly released by Yellow Robe, who said someone was waiting for him.

• Joshua told Tailin that Thousand Faces would drive her and the two High Elves to the Nolan Enforcement Department, and asked her to invite them to the concert.
• Joshua and the Dark Elf waited outside Falosi Manor while Tailin went to wake the sleeping High Elves.
• Elder Sindonal endured a Nolan enforcer named Eric replaying Tylinn’s song hundreds of times and learned that the recording came from her debut album, From the Sky Begins.
• Two enforcers argued over their favorite singers until Yellow Robe entered the prison.
• Yellow Robe shattered Elder Sindonal’s cell restraints, freed him, and told him someone was waiting for him.

Tylinn reunited with Zhi Ye and Arl after Elder Sindonal was released, but a crowd of fans chased their vehicle through Nolan. At the Magic Arena, Joshua persuaded Sindonal to let Tylinn choose her own path, and the High Elves agreed to watch her perform.

• Tylinn met Elder Sindonal and hurried with him to Arl and Zhi Ye’s vehicle.
• Fans swarmed the streets seeking Tylinn’s autograph, and the Dark Elf drove the group to the Magic Arena.
• Sindonal urged Tylinn to leave Nolan for Aserkelo, but Joshua reminded him that she wanted to revive her people and their World Tree.
• Sindonal asked to watch Tylinn’s performance, and Joshua had the Dark Elf lead the High Elves to the audience seats.
• Ciri confirmed the stage was ready, and Joshua prepared to join the audience for the concert’s opening.

Enforcers Tano and Eric prepared to maintain order as more than thirty thousand people gathered for Miss Tylinn’s concert in the Magic Arena. When the lights went out, glowing Short Staffs illuminated the venue and the music began, leaving Tano caught up in the crowd’s excitement.

• Eric told Tano he was excited to hear Miss Tylinn sing, but the chief ordered them to their assigned positions.
• Tano learned that he and Eric were responsible for a section inside the arena, where iron railings and magical barriers divided the gladiatorial ground.
• Eric explained that the unusual seating arrangement allowed the Magic Arena to host more than thirty thousand concertgoers, and a colleague handed Tano a glowing Short Staff.
• Thousands of people entered the arena, and Tano and Eric stayed alert as the crowd filled the venue.
• The arena lights went out, then the audience raised identical glowing Short Staffs that lit the arena as Miss Tylinn’s music began.

Tylinn performed at Joshua’s concert despite suffering from an overwhelming influx of Faith Power, and her first songs moved the crowd and stirred memories of her lost people. After greeting the audience, she introduced her next song, “Love,” inspired by Romeo and Juliet.

• Tylinn felt overwhelmed by the Faith Power gathering inside her, but she insisted on performing so the sacred tree could take root on the ground.
• Joshua asked Orlanka Priest to watch over Tylinn, then broadcast the concert through the Daytime Banshee camerawomen’s perspectives.
• Tylinn opened with “Twinkle,” and the audience waved glowing Short Staffs as they listened.
• Tylinn sang “Titanium,” channeling her anger and sorrow toward the Holy Church Country and the Hall of Inquisition, though the Faith Power left her chest increasingly strained.
• Tylinn greeted the cheering audience in Nolan and introduced “Love,” a song inspired by Romeo and Juliet.

Luvita overcame her stage fright and performed “Rolling In The Deep” with Tylinn at the Magic Arena concert. Afterward, Tylinn began “Love The Way You Lie Part II” and prepared to introduce Liya, only to realize Liya could not come to Nolan.

• Luvita watched Tylinn’s concert backstage and grew nervous about appearing before more than thirty thousand people.
• Tylinn praised the Chanter of the World competition and invited Luvita, its champion, onto the stage.
• Tylinn joined Luvita for “Rolling In The Deep,” and Luvita gained confidence when she heard fans singing along.
• After Luvita left the stage, Tylinn began “Love The Way You Lie Part II” and heard the audience calling for Liya.
• Tylinn realized Liya could not come to Nolan and worried about disappointing the audience.

Home performed a brief, intense song at the Magic Arena before Tylinn’s rapidly rising magic power forced her to leave the stage. As Bone Duke played Moonlight Sonata to cover the interruption, Orlanka Priest worked to stabilize Tylinn.

• Eric and the audience recognized Home as he appeared onstage in place of the expected Liya, and many listeners complained.
• Home sang a short, powerful performance that silenced the audience before he briskly left the stage.
• Tylinn became dizzy as the magic power in her body rose rapidly, and the white cat helped her leave the stage unseen.
• Orlanka Priest began using an ancient spell taught by World Tree Enlu Xi to store Faith Power and ease Tylinn’s condition.
• Bone Duke played Moonlight Sonata in the darkened arena, while Joshua told Madam Si who the pianist was.

In the Holy Church Country, Herolia watched Tylinn’s concert broadcast and grew jealous of the Frost Elf’s songs and performance. After the concert, Herolia decided to write songs of her own and hoped the Magic Net would create a way to share music.

• Herolia watched Tylinn’s concert in her private chambers and complained that the archbishops had prevented her from staying in Nolan.
• As Tylinn returned to the stage and performed with an orchestra, Herolia analyzed the songs and rap while admitting how much they impressed her.
• Herolia watched the concert’s finale and decided she could write songs in the same style.
• When Messiah asked how Nolan’s listeners would hear her music, Herolia predicted that the Magic Net would create a space for storing musical tracks.

Tylinn ended her concert with a song that left the audience singing together, then joined Joshua and the others as the World Tree Enlu Xi chose to take root in Nolan. Joshua received an invitation from the High Elves’ World Tree Atherom and sent the departing High Elves away with gifts, as the Magic Network entered a new stage.

• Tylinn closed her concert with “You,” and the audience sang along before fireworks ended the night.
• The Dark Elf drove Elder Sindonal, Zhi Ye, and Arl to the Sage’s Tower, where they entered the barrier and found Tylinn, Joshua, the Five Sages, and the Orlanka Priest.
• Enlu Xi chose to take root in Nolan, and the White-robed One offered a contract making humanity her Guardian.
• A white bird identified Joshua as a Watcher, gave him a strange crystal, and vanished; Elder Sindonal said Atherom had acknowledged him and invited him to the Extremely Northern Land.
• Joshua gave Elder Sindonal a crystal of Enlu Xi and Magic Network clients for Zhi Ye and Arl, then announced that construction’s next stage was beginning.

Joshua worked on Magic Web Savings Bank as the financial foundation for paid Magic Web content and shopping, then presented the Magic Web economy to Nolan’s Sages, merchants, and savings-bank officials. He began explaining how online shops could simplify trade, leaving the gathered officials eager to hear how the system would work.

• Joshua told Ciri that he was developing Magic Web Savings Bank to support paid games, creative works, and Magic Web shopping.
• Ciri and Joshua discussed persuading Nolan’s Sages to cooperate with Nolan National Savings Bank.
• The Prophet and Freyt joined Nolan’s Sages, merchants, and savings-bank officials in the Hall of Silence at Joshua’s invitation.
• Joshua showed how a customer’s trip to a shop could involve a long journey and argued that Magic Web stores could eliminate several steps.
• An official from Nolan National Savings Bank asked how online shopping could be achieved, and Joshua began to explain the system behind it.