Old Memories

Jerome waved his staff, carefully controlling the power of the magical flames, melting the huge rocks in front of him into scorching lava.

He was accompanied by two other First Level Wizard from different factions on this mission.

One of them mixes special metal particles into the molten lava of Jerome, while the other is responsible for cooling and solidifying the "mixed" lava into huge cubes.

Afterward, these standard-compliant clay blocks are sent to the next location, where specialized wizards will imprint some simple runes on them. Then, another group of wizards will assemble the "refined" clay blocks into the prototype of the arena. Finally, there will be the final "reinforcement" and decoration. Every step is carried out in an orderly and methodical manner, and everything is calm and orderly.

The wizards in charge of each process do not communicate with each other. Only when they are exhausted and need to "change shifts" will they exchange a few words and, after receiving permission, silently go to a deserted corner to meditate alone.

The reason is that these wizards from different factions are not familiar with each other, and also because these wizards who participated in the construction of the arena have a "special status" in this place.

They were not invited elite geniuses; on the contrary, they were all of ordinary status within their respective factions.

The reason I'm here is entirely because I accepted the corresponding "task".

This is a gathering place for prodigies. Any wizard who happens to pass by could be a genius from a faction whose strength is dozens of times greater than theirs.

They were at the "bottom" here, doing the things that only low-level wizards would do. It wouldn't be accurate to say they were out of place, but they certainly looked like a bunch of easily overlooked "background figures." Another huge block of clay was successfully formed under the spell. Jerome breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that his mental energy was almost depleted. He thought to himself that after the next block of clay was completed, he should find someone to "take over."

Just as he was chanting the incantation in a low voice, preparing to build the next block of clay, someone suddenly came over and interrupted his spellcasting.

The newcomer was a level two wizard from the Thorn Palace, responsible for supervising and directing the work in their small area.

Despite coming from different factions, Jerome still maintained sufficient respect for the other party. He stopped what he was doing, thinking of listening to what instructions the other party had, but the latter only gave him a look and glanced in a certain direction.

Jerome followed the other person's gaze and saw a tall, slender figure dressed in black and gray with exquisite silver trim, with his back to him, so he couldn't see the figure's features clearly.

Jerome slowly walked towards the retreating figure, gradually sensing the fluctuations of spiritual energy emanating from the other person.

That was the pressure that only a level two wizard, and one at the mid-stage of level two or above, could release. He gradually felt some doubt and tension, constantly thinking whether he had done something wrong and unintentionally "offended" some important figure from another force who was passing by. Just as Jerome approached, the figure turned around.

Behind his tall and slender back was an extremely young and handsome face.

For a moment, Jerome was dazed when he saw that face. A mix of familiarity and unfamiliarity washed over him. He felt as if he had seen that face somewhere before, until the handsome and elegant young man calmly greeted him, "Long time no see... Lord Jerome."

Some not-so-distant, yet profound memories surged up rapidly, Jerome's pupils contracted, and he whispered the other's name in a hushed voice.

"Ronan... you're Ronan Damien?!"

More and more Magic Airship descended from the sky, and powerful wizards entered the arena. Under the six "Dawn Sun" hanging high in the sky, huge arenas rose up one after another.

As the sun sets, the Goblin Plain gradually become lively.

However, amidst the hustle and bustle, Ronan and his companion, standing opposite each other, remained surprisingly quiet.

Ronan could see the turbulent emotions beneath Jerome's seemingly calm exterior. He had anticipated this outcome, and the atmosphere between the two became somewhat awkward and subtle.

Finally, Jerome broke the awkward silence by speaking first, "I didn't expect to see you here... Damien."

Ronan sighed softly, "I didn't expect that either."

He really didn't expect to run into Jerome in this competition. Jerome was Level One Wizard who had "mentored" him a few times back in the Hoddam Academy and had even given him a map of the area around Hoddam.

It was the Silver Magic Ring that the map led Ronan to. It's fair to say that if it weren't for Jerome, Ronan might not be standing here today.

However, Ronan wasn't too surprised that Jerome appeared as the wizard of the Molten Crystal Lake.

He remembered that Jerome had studied the [Lava Fire Ring] school of magic when he was at the Hoddam Academy, so joining the Molten Crystal Lake was a natural progression.

You are far more outstanding than I imagined.

Jerome looked at Ronan in front of him, his lips slightly moving, "Are you here to watch the game as a member of the Arcane Circle?"

Ronan hesitated for a moment, then nodded without offering further explanation, saying, "I suppose so."

Jerome's expression became even more complicated, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.

He personally witnessed Ronan defeat Lola, who had reached the late stage of Level 1 after going "berst," when he first entered Level 1, and once predicted that Ronan might one day reach the level of the Dean of the Hoddam Academy.

But he didn't expect this day to come so soon. It had only been a short time since that battle, and Ronan had already advanced to level two.

Moreover, these are not ordinary level-two wizards. Those invited to watch this competition are all well-known and outstanding individuals of the same level from various wizarding factions. Ordinary people are not qualified.

Let's talk about something else.

Ronan changed the subject, thinking for a moment before asking, "How is the academy doing now?"

"It no longer exists."

Jerome shook his head and said, "But the Wizard Land still exist. After things calmed down, several wizards, including Goya, who had reached the official level, returned to Hoddam. They rebuilt a small force on the ruins, barely managing to maintain order in the Wizard Land as before."

"Goya..."

Ronan murmured the name to himself. He remembered that it was the blue-robed witch who had fled with Jerome when the Crimson Tower invaded.

"... Actually, the Dean's original plan for us was to take Lola with us to the Thorn Palace. The Dean himself was someone who had broken away from the Thorn Palace."

In her battle against the Third Level Wizard of the Crimson Tower, she sacrificed everything, leaving all for the resurrected Lola. "Actually, we can still live quite well, thanks to the Dean's legacy."

Jerome continued, "Lola, who inherited the Innocuous Wood, was highly valued by the Thorn Palace and was even designated as a key genius to be cultivated. Goya and I both once had the idea of switching to plant magic. However, later, Lola's secret assassination of members of the Crimson Tower wizards was exposed, and the Thorn Palace paid a considerable price to protect her."

Lola was punished and imprisoned. Sometime later, Goya and I heard news of her murder and escape.

"After this incident, we naturally had no face to stay in the Thorn Palace any longer, so we left."

Goya returned to Hoddam, while I, relying on a slight connection from my previous [Lava Fire Ring] legacy, joined the Molten Crystal Lake.

Throughout the entire narration, Jerome's expression remained calm, as if he were talking about something that had nothing to do with him.

After hearing the whole story, Ronan pursed his lips, unsure how to comment.

Lola's actions, though unpredictable, seem perfectly reasonable, entirely befitting her obsessive, crazy, selfish, and indifferent personality.

This kind of person really doesn't deserve any sympathy. Her existence will only bring endless trouble and disaster to those standing around her. Letting her fend for herself is the best way to deal with her. Ronan was silent for a while, and finally took out a Storage Waist Pouch and handed it to Jerome.

"I still want to thank Lord Jerome for the map back then."

Jerome looked into Ronan's eyes and sensed a subtle, undeniable authority hidden within their calm and profound depth.

He nodded and silently accepted the Storage Waist Pouch.

Ronan didn't say anything more, simply greeted them, and turned to leave.

Jerome stood there for a long time, watching Ronan's departing figure, his face full of complicated thoughts.

Jerome was interrupted from his reminiscence by a deep, authoritative voice. "Come with me."

Jerome turned his head at the sound and saw only a magnificent robe covered with orange and gold patterns, and a vast and intense spiritual power as hot as a lava lake.

His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly responded, then obediently followed the other person in a certain direction.

On the way, Jerome could no longer contain his anxiety and couldn't help but ask, "Sir, may I ask if there's anything I can help you with?"

The second-level wizard from Molten Crystal Lake who was leading the way stopped in his tracks, slowly turned his body to the side, and looked at him with an icy expression.

"What's up?"

"Ronan Damien, the most promising genius wizard of the new generation in the Silver Magic Ring, is also our opponent in this competition. We secretly contacted each other before the competition started, and you're asking me why?!"

Upon hearing the other party's reply, Jerome froze on the spot, his mind buzzing.

He thought he had imagined Ronan to be quite remarkable, but he never expected that Ronan had reached such a terrifying level. Ronan saw Jerome being taken away by the wizards of the Molten Crystal Lake, his eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't take it to heart.

It was probably just a routine interrogation. The Storage Waist Pouch he gave Jerome contained only some resources that would be valuable to First Level Wizard but were useless to him, and wouldn't cause Jerome any trouble.

Turning his gaze away, Ronan walked towards the "base" of the Silver Magic Ring side.

At this moment, almost all the people from all sides had arrived, occupying six different positions and gathering together in a clearly defined manner.

On the Silver Magic Ring side, Ronan saw Caloni, who had led the team to the Second Battlefield last time and was also the ring master of the Third Magic Ring. In addition, there was another person who should also be a ring master, a powerful Third Level Wizard, sitting next to Caloni.

Kosti didn't come.

Caloni noticed Ronan and waved to him from a distance.

Ronan walked in that direction, noticing the "remarkable" Orian along the way.

This young genius of the Arcane Circle, known as the "Four-Colored Metal," was as confident and proud as he had been last time.

Orian, whose head of golden hair shone like sunlight in the night, sat quietly in the center, below the two Ring Lords, his eyes fixed on one direction.

Ronan turned and glanced over. Yes, as expected, it was Jupiter, the "King of Cool" whom he regarded as his biggest rival.

Perhaps sensing Ronan's observing gaze, Orian turned his head.

Ronan paused, meeting Orian's gaze across the distance.

Unexpectedly, Orian nodded slightly at him before looking away.

Ronan was almost flattered, but then he couldn't help but sigh inwardly: the true strength of these established top geniuses was still unknown, but the "prestige" they exuded in their words and actions was truly higher than the last. As Ronan approached, the members of the Arcane Circle on both sides of the road made way for him.

Ronan walked up to Caloni and Caroni. Caloni, with a gentle gaze, introduced him, "This is Aqi Duo, the master of the Fourth Magic Ring."

Ronan's gaze shifted to the man next to Caloni, a fair-skinned, handsome man with long hair like Ronan, whose facial features were almost delicate, possessing a beauty that was even more "beautiful" than a woman's.

The latter squinted, looking him up and down with an expression Ronan couldn't understand.

Ronan remained calm and bowed to Caloni and the man one by one.

"Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just do your best. This competition is just a trial and a test for you. What matters is not the ranking, but what you gain."

Caloni gave him instructions, which were similar to those given by Kosti, and then told him to find a seat for himself, as the competition was about to begin.

After Ronan turned and left, the long-haired, handsome man beside Caloni released a slight amount of spiritual energy, setting up a temporary isolation field that enveloped the two of them.

"Tsk"

The handsome man exclaimed in surprise, "Now I understand why you had that misunderstanding."

When I first saw Damien, I almost mistook him for one of my long-lost descendants. His appearance and demeanor were almost identical to mine when I was young.

"It's just a bit similar, after all, you both specialize in ice magic..."

Caloni shook his head. "But Damien is far more resilient and volatile than you are. You haven't seen what he looks like when his bloodline is activated. Even the Ancient Fire Demon blood of the Sakiel's Family would kneel and submit."

"Has his bloodline been investigated?"

The handsome man asked.

"More than one person was interested, but Kosti rejected them all."

"A powerful and mysterious bloodline, specializing in Ice Magic yet choosing to join the Seventh Magic Ring — Kosti's unusual protection."

The handsome man stroked his smooth chin and suddenly a possibility occurred to him, "Do you think this Damien might be that guy's offspring?"

Do you feel this way too?

Caloni gazed at the stars and murmured, "I see a resemblance to Shelby in him."

"Probably only Kosti knows the answer."

As night fell, the sky above the Goblin Plain was filled with stars, and the "spiritual light" released by the six Dawn Wizard illuminated half of the plains.

Four enormous arenas were erected, and ten people from each of the six factions stepped out.