Frost Leader, Ice Flame Iris

"[Frozen Earth].."

Ronan whispered the name of the symbol.

He carefully examined the entirety of the rune in his hand. In his view as a Rune Master, the [Frozen Earth] rune was not particularly complex in its composition, and it was even less complex than the [[Bloodthirst]] rune he had obtained from Lola.

Ronan visited every rune shop in the Seven Ring City and even tried to obtain a Soul Rune by purchasing it.

However, the runes displayed in the rune shop and sold at marked prices were all of very ordinary effects; they were just some of the most common general-purpose runes, and none of them satisfied Ronan.

First-tier spells are also sold in the shop, but they are all the most basic ones. The slightly more powerful core spells can only be obtained through the inheritance of factions.

The [Frozen Earth] sigil, judging solely from its structure and complexity, is only slightly better than the general sigils sold in these shops, but it cannot compare to Lola's [[Bloodthirst]].

Ronan felt that if the tiers of Soul Rune were divided into general, rare, and excellent, the quality of the [Frozen Earth] rune would only be at the rare level, while the [[Bloodthirst]] rune would be excellent.

Ronan was not clear about the specific effects of the [Frozen Earth] talisman. Without guidance, he might not know until he successfully condensed the talisman.

"A first-order ice Spell Inheritance, not too complicated, with low condensation requirements, but of decent quality, making it the most suitable ice Soul Rune for a newly promoted First Level Wizard to condense."

There is also a clearly Tier 1 Magical Item.

Ronan picked up the necklace from the box—a necklace filled with icy blue gemstones, with a deep blue ring at the bottom, and emanating a faint aura of ice-elemental energy—and remarked thoughtfully, "This looks like a beginner's gift pack for a first-tier ice-elemental wizard."

Considering that Linas majored in ice magic during his apprenticeship, everything seemed perfectly reasonable; this was the legacy left to Linas by his deceased teacher.

"But why would a Wandering Wizard who is a senior apprentice leave behind a formal wizard-level legacy for his disciple?"

A hint of doubt appeared in Ronan's eyes, and then he picked up the last letter in the box that he hadn't looked at.

I don't know what the letter paper is made of, but it feels cool to the touch, smooth and delicate, like holding a thin piece of ice.

Upon opening it, a faint chill wafted out.

In that instant, it was as if Ronan had been transported to an ancient, vast, icy world—

[My dearest Soraya, by the time you read this letter, I shall already be dead.]

Do not grieve for me; my soul will follow the aurora borealis and dwell forever in the Northern Glacier. Please treat the one who holds the faith as your own son. Halowen is a good boy; his talents are not outstanding, but he has a heart as pure and kind as ice crystals.

I left him the Frozen Earth, which is perhaps the most suitable talisman for him.

No one knows the secrets hidden within it, and those who underestimate it are unaware that the legend of the Lanster Family began with it.

Those who Frost Leader, their hearts are colder than the biting winds of the far north.

They completely forgot the glory and honor that the "Ice Flame Iris" had once brought them. They drove us away like an old snow wolf whose claws and fangs had degenerated. We were forced to leave our homeland, and our people died one by one in the wind, snow and crisis.

No one can understand my anger and sorrow!

So I took the "Ice Ring" with me! They'll never get it, never know the secret behind it! Soraya... Soraya... My turbid tears condensed into ice crystals and fell onto the letter. I saw Yarlis smiling and waving at me, along with our three children. I hope you will witness the Lanster Family's glory once again in my stead!

Ronan slowly put down the letter in his hand, a strange light flickering on his face.

"Ice Flame Iris... Lanster Family... Frost Leader... and Ice Ring!"

This is a letter written by someone on their deathbed, addressed to a person named "Soraya".

No signature.

The letter contained a vast and complex amount of information. Ronan managed to piece together a coherent narrative from the jumbled words: a family had fallen into decline, driven out by the very forces that had helped to build it, and the last member of the family had taken something extremely important with him. It should have been a story filled with sorrow and resentment, but unfortunately, Ronan could not empathize with it.

He picked up the magical necklace from the box and found a small engraving on the chain, which was covered in icy blue gemstones. It read, "[For my dearest love, Yarlis!]"

The deep blue Ice Ring at the bottom of the necklace was added later. The aura of the Ice Ring was ancient and obscure. When Ronan's spiritual power penetrated it, he felt a bone-chilling cold emanating from his soul. He could barely catch a glimpse of what seemed to be an extremely complex rune hidden within it.

"Yarlis's Ice Ring Necklace"

Ronan's gaze shifted to the Soul Rune called "Frozen Earth." From the information revealed in the letter, it was clear that this seal was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.

"... So this should be the legacy left to Linas's teacher, who is the letter bearer mentioned in the letter, named Linas. "Halowen

For some reason, Halowen failed to deliver the letter to its intended recipient. Before his death, he left an unopened inheritance to Linas, and now that inheritance has come into my hands."

Ronan's eyes flickered as he began to hesitate and make a decision.

Such a complete first-tier inheritance is now laid out before him.

Although ice magic was not originally on his radar, it was still much better than plant magic.

During his apprenticeship, Ronan learned a low-level, zero-tier [Ice Ball] spell, which he used as a life skill, and his proficiency quickly rose to mastery.

He doesn't have a strong affinity for ice magic, but he's not averse to it either.

Considering the immense secrets and opportunities that this inheritance might hold, Ronan would be more inclined to switch to ice magic than to obtain the Metal Element Spell Inheritance he desired, rather than Lola's plant-based inheritance.

"Ice magic is also one of the mainstream spells for wizards, and the visibility on the upward path is much better than with plant magic."

Ronan hesitated for a moment, then put everything back in the box.

Before all hope of Spell Inheritance Metal Element magic in the Arcane Circle is completely lost, he still feels it's best not to rush into making a decision.

Just as Ronan finished putting the box away and was wondering where to find out the true meaning of the words "Frost Leader" and "Ice Flame Iris," there was a knock on the door.

"Lord Ronan, are you there?"

Alida's voice rang out from the doorway, carrying a hint of tension unlike her usual tone.

Ronan frowned slightly and tried to release his mental energy to investigate, but the next second he was immediately "forced" back by a massive mental energy that was at least ten times stronger than his own.

A very powerful wizard is right at the door!

Ronan's eyes flashed with deep surprise, and countless guesses and possibilities popped into his mind in an instant, but soon his expression calmed down, and he got up and opened the door.

"What is it, Alida?"

Alida, like a timid and docile sheep, shrank shyly in the corner by the door, pointed to the person standing next to her, and whispered, "This Lord of the Arcane Circle is here to see you."

Arcane Circle 'Ronan eyes flickered slightly, and his gaze naturally fell on the uninvited guest in front of him.

This is a male wizard of medium build.

He has short black hair and an ordinary appearance. His left cheek is covered with a large number of intricate and exquisite silver patterns, while his right cheek has a large, conspicuous patch of rough Silver Mark.

He wore Silver Magic Robe with a conspicuous Arcane Circle symbol, and his body emanated waves of mental energy that gave Ronan a slight feeling of suffocation, as well as a kind of obscure and mysterious Soul Aura.

He was smiling at Ronan, but his metallic features conveyed only a cold, refined, and condescending air.

"Level 1 late stage... or a level 2 wizard?!"

Ronan quickly made a judgment in his mind, but on his face he showed a solemn and polite expression.

He bowed to the man in the silver robe and asked, "What brings you here, sir?"

"Don't be nervous. It's just some routine questions and checks."

The Silver Robe Man spoke with a smile, his voice sounding like two rough pieces of metal colliding and rubbing together, giving people an uncomfortable feeling.

The Silver Robe Man walked past Ronan into the room behind him as if he were the master of the house, and then looked at Ronan. "After all, you've only been in the Arcane Circle for a short time, haven't you? Lord Ronan Damien."

Ronan gave Alida a look, and she ran away as if she had been granted a pardon.

He gently closed the door, walked in, and nodded, saying, "Yes."

After the Silver Robe Man sat down comfortably on the sofa where Ronan usually sat, he said softly, "I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Basil."

"Lord Basil."

Ronan walked to the round table, picked up the teapot, and said, "Is tea alright? The blueberry and mint leaf fruit tea at this inn is quite good."

Basil smiled but didn't answer. He just looked at Ronan and said, "You look very young, like you've only recently been promoted."

Would you mind telling me about things before I came to the Arcane Circle?

Ronan's eyes flickered, and he put down the teapot in his hand. "I come from Lord Horddambasil. Have you heard of this place?"

"Hoddam..."

Basil showed a hint of surprise. "That small academy that was destroyed by the power of the Crimson Tower? I've heard about it."

"A level-two wizard from a poor little town unexpectedly obtained a Nefa Key, thinking that good fortune was about to arrive. Little did he know that possessing a treasure that was disproportionate to his own strength would only lead to [Catastrophe]."

Basil sighed softly, his words revealing a superficial pity that came from someone in a high position.

Ronan was surprised that Basil had actually heard of the Hoddam Academy and seemed to know a lot about the current situation there. Ignoring his dislike for Basil's haughty attitude, he couldn't help but ask, "Could you tell me more about it, Lord Basil?"

Basil glanced at him and said indifferently, "There's not much to say. The Wizard Land of the Hoddam Academy were reduced to ashes by the Crimson Power, the founder of the academy died, and the Nefa Key was taken by the Crimson Tower."

Also suffering from the calamity was a small dark wizarding land called the Whispering Forest. Oh, right.

Basil seemed to recall something and added, "I've heard a rather unusual tale about the Whispering Forest: it's said that a First Level Wizard from the Whispering Forest single-handedly killed two level two wizards from the Crimson Tower in battle."

"First Level Wizard kills two second-level wizards?!"

Ronan was taken aback; such a record could only be described as brilliant.

For some reason, the image of Anglie flashed into his mind, and he had an incredibly strong premonition: if someone in the Whispering Forest could really have accomplished such a feat, then that person must be... Anglie! "What happened to that person afterward?"

Ronan pressed for an answer.

"Are you talking about that first-level genius wizard from the Whispering Forest?"

Basil said calmly, "Who knows? Maybe he's dead, maybe he was captured by the Crimson Tower, or maybe there's never even such a person in the rumors. Nine out of ten are proven false after investigation."

Ronan fell into thought and remained silent, but Basil already seemed ready to end the brief conversation.

"That's enough, the routine questioning is over."

Basil stood up from the sofa, gave Ronan a simple nod and smile, and said, "It was a pleasant chat with you. Sorry to bother you."

"Lord Basil!"

Ronan, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up and called out to Basil was almost at the door.

The latter turned around without any expression, his eyes indifferent, the Silver Mark on his face making his aloofness and indifference even stronger.

"Is there anything else, Your Excellency Ronan?"

At this moment, Ronan seemed to be brewing something in his chest.

He raised his head, looked into Basil's eyes, and said softly, "There's something else I'd like to discuss with Lord Basil."

"Oh?"

Five minutes later, amidst the trembling farewell of the Blueberry Inn owners and their families, Basil, dressed in a silver robe, strolled out of the hostel.

A small, exquisitely Magic Airship was parked outside the inn. The short man, Gu Wei, was waiting beside the airship. As soon as Basil came out, he immediately hurried to greet him, filled with anticipation.

"How is it, my lord!"

Basil shook his head indifferently.

"Judging from the time point we calculated, this is the most likely one."

The truth, however, is quite the opposite. He's just a refugee who has only recently advanced one level and hasn't even condensed Soul Rune yet.

"Why"

Upon hearing this, Gu Wei sighed in disappointment and muttered, "Of the people selected, apart from two who have already left Seven Ring City, the rest have been eliminated by us."

If this isn't one either, well...

"It might be one of those two people who aren't currently in the Seven Ring City, or maybe... the person we're looking for isn't even on our shortlist."

Basil showed no disappointment. He narrowed his eyes and calmly instructed Gu Wei, "Keep an eye on them. Those two who left might come back."

"Clear."

Gu Wei nodded and saw that Basil had already boarded the airship.

"Lord Basil, where do we go next?"

"Go and meet that Soul Rune you mentioned before, First Level Intermediate Wizard from the Far West, whose rank is quite good."

"Yes."

The runic light flowing on the Magic Airship lit up, and it darted into the sky like a nimble blue- Silver Fish, disappearing in an instant.

From the window of a room on the second floor of the Blueberry Inn, Ronan quietly watched the airship sail away.

Once the airship had completely disappeared, he withdrew his gaze and looked at the Rune Stone with an icy blue luster that he was clutching tightly in his hand.

"It seems that I have no choice but to choose [Frozen Earth] and switch to ice magic."

In the previous five minutes, Ronan had tried his best to show enough sincerity to Basil in silver robes.

He hoped the other party could act as his guarantor.

But he was still rejected without hesitation.

To be precise, Basil didn't even bother to express his refusal to Ronan.

He simply watched Ronan quietly with a smile throughout, waiting for Ronan to finish explaining everything, and then naturally turned around and left.

Not a single word was left in response.