Chapter Summaries

Roy oversaw the new apprentices at Tata Mountain Quarry while a foreign special-operations group secretly gathered intelligence and planned an attack. Yivent returned with news that the Spatial Rift to the Osis Empire lay in the ancient battlefield, prompting Roy and Frosv to plan further investigation.

• Roy considered investing in the young apprentices and left their daily management to Gord as the apprentices and support staff arrived at the quarry.
• Planje infiltrated the quarry unseen, and days later a foreign unit reviewed her intelligence and resolved to wait until Weizel was distracted before attacking.
• Athedia told Roy that Yivent had returned, and Yivent reported finding the ancient battlefield and the Spatial Rift leading to the Osis Empire.
• Roy discussed the discovery with Frosv, who approved continued investigation and assigned Roy a long-term mission to explore the passage.
• Roy asked Frosv to exchange materials so he could forge Apprentice-level witchcraft tools and Enchanted Items for Yivent's mission.

Norwich began his quarry apprenticeship in the Sculpting Room and quickly showed exceptional skill, drawing Roy’s interest as a potential master sculptor. The chapter ended when Gord announced the discovery of a huge jade deposit, and Roy and Stowson went to inspect it.

• Norwich chose the Sculpting Room as his apprenticeship assignment and received a rune-sealed skin patch as an entry pass.
• Roy noticed Norwich’s talent for sculpting and began giving him guidance, while privately encouraging Stowson to nurture him.
• Norwich advanced from plaster modeling to carving stone, accurately shaping bodies, muscles, and skin.
• Gord reported finding a jade piece large enough for a life-sized centaur statue, and Roy and Stowson went to see it.

Roy discovered a massive deposit of natural jade material in his territory and gave most of it to Frosv in exchange for tax relief and a possible golem. He kept smaller, richer pieces for research and planned to develop Talent Gems that could enhance abilities and help him overcome the limits of his body.

• Roy appraised the jade deposit with Hermes' Eye, then carved off the Level 2 and Level 1 pieces before shaping the remaining stone into a centaur statue for Frosv.
• Roy reported the discovery to Frosv, who agreed to deduct the stone's value from Roy's taxes and possibly provide a basic Wizard-Rank golem after appraisal.
• Roy kept the pieces he had carved off and decided to study them alongside the Talent Seed instead of immediately making jewelry or golems.
• Roy planned to research physical Talent Gems first, then pursue Soul-Level enhancements and a method of gradually elevating his body toward divinity.

Roy refined Attribute Gems and added them to his shop, then continued cultivating an Artificial Human body while studying bloodline techniques. Sailen revealed that her body was failing from Bloodline Disease, as the spells stabilizing her collapsing Bloodline Factors weakened.

• Roy discovered that his attempts to refine Talent Gems had instead helped him master Attribute Gems and updated his shop.
• Olinda bought two Intelligence Gems, and Winter, Grete, and the others also obtained Attribute Gems for their equipment.
• Roy successfully refined two +2 Intelligence Gems and wore them in rings to increase his Spiritual Power.
• Roy checked on the Artificial Human body he had cultivated while studying bloodline techniques.
• Sailen coughed up black-red blood, and Roy discovered that her body had weakened from Bloodline Disease and collapsing Bloodline Factors.

Roy learned that Sailen was suffering from a severe bloodline disease and brain damage, and she asked to die freely rather than endure more experiments. He sought help and studied possible treatments, then resumed his research; his latest attempt to remove a cultivated body from its nutrient pod appeared to fail.

• Sailen told Roy that her illness and the damage from her brain transplant were worsening, and she asked him to let her die freely instead of subjecting her to more experiments.
• Roy consulted Frosv, who warned that treating Sailen could cost hundreds of thousands or even millions of magic stones, and Roy asked to borrow books about bloodline disease, brains, cells, souls, and memory.
• Andov and the others learned of Sailen's condition, and Roy said he would try to help her enjoy what remained of her life.
• Roy continued his research despite looming threats to Netherland and began a pod-exit test on a cultivated body in mid-October.
• The cultivated body convulsed, changed shape, and turned statue-like as its life aura faded, prompting Roy to wonder whether the test had failed.

Roy reflected on his failed attempt to create an independent new body while continuing his golem work and other experiments. Meanwhile, Planje investigated the quarry’s defenses, and thunder from beyond the atmosphere signaled that Archmage Gem had begun acting, drawing Edwin’s attention and alarming Frosv.

• Roy admitted that his attempt to make the new body survive independently had failed because too much Supernatural Power caused Genetic Collapse, and he resolved to proceed more gradually.
• Roy resumed his experiments while personally creating Level 1 Golems for his teacher and gathering materials for a level-two Flawless Gem.
• Planje secretly crossed the quarry’s defenses and identified the Level 1 Golem sent from the Knight Royal Capital as the key target.
• Edwin received intelligence from Planje, then heard a thunderclap from beyond the atmosphere and realized Archmage Gem had begun.
• Frosv sensed that someone was attacking the Archmage’s seal.

Roy tested a defensive witchcraft he named Layered Armor Technique, then learned that the Arcane Empire had used a Legendary Spell to pierce Netherland’s barrier and prepare an invasion. Errant warned that the colony had only Roy’s teacher and ten Formal Wizards to defend it, and the danger depended on whether the Legendary Mage would descend in person.

• Roy tested his Layered Armor Technique and concluded that he needed greater mastery of Activation to use it effectively in combat.
• A thunderclap and a world-spanning metallic sound startled Roy, Sailen, and the others as strange clouds appeared overhead.
• Roy tried to contact his teacher but received no answer, so he reached out to Errant instead.
• Errant told Roy that the Arcane Empire had used Heavenly Meteor Nail to pierce Netherland’s barrier and establish an invasion anchor.
• Errant warned Roy that the colony’s defenses were limited and said they needed to find out whether the Legendary Mage would personally enter the battle.

After learning that the Arcane Empire had launched the Legendary Spell Heavenly Meteor Nail, Roy prepared Tata Mountain Quarry for war. He witnessed the World Will resisting the attack by awakening heroes and causing celestial fragments to fall, then sent Andov and the others to investigate nearby sites for unusual phenomena and treasures.

• Roy ordered Athedia to put Tata Mountain Quarry on Combat Readiness and told the ill Sailen to rest.
• Roy contacted other wizards as they rushed to prepare for war, then planned defenses and supplies for the quarry.
• The next day, Athedia showed Roy a black crack in the sky, where the Heavenly Meteor Nail had pierced the world’s protective net and spread Void Rifts.
• Roy sensed celestial fragments falling and concluded that the World Will was resisting by awakening heroes and producing extraordinary phenomena.
• Roy sent Andov and the others to investigate marked locations for unusual events and heavenly treasures, ordering them to return within a week.

Roy practiced the Shrinking Technique and spoke with Frosv about Archinila’s invasion and the threat posed by Archmage Gem. The Heavenly Meteor Nail pierced Netherland’s World Barrier, allowing Gem’s Mage Tower to arrive and begin mapping the region.

• Roy discovered that Enchanted Item energy interfered with the Shrinking Technique and recorded his findings while continuing to practice spells.
• Roy contacted Frosv, who explained that Archmage Gem was likely the main enemy and warned Roy to stay safe while Frosv watched Gem.
• Roy cautioned Frosv that Abyssal Demons might exploit the battle, and Frosv said he had reinforced the World Barrier against an invasion.
• The Heavenly Meteor Nail pierced Netherland’s World Barrier, and a white Mage Tower appeared in the sky.
• Archmage Gem ordered his tower’s systems to connect to the Anchor Point, load a terrain map, and deploy scouts and forces.

Roy learned that the Arcane Empire had deployed a Mage Tower above Netherland and sent fast mechanical patrol units toward the royal capital, while preparing the quarry for an expected struggle over resources. Winter returned with black fragments that triggered Roy’s Alchemy Talent and revealed a source of Apprentice-level Alchemy Knowledge.

• Athedia alerted Roy to changes outside, and he learned that the Arcane Empire had stationed a Mage Tower above Netherland.
• Roy held the quarry while Andov, Damo, Gret, and others returned from scouting with treasures that did not match what he sought.
• Winter returned and reported seeing the Mage Tower descend and mechanical birds fly toward the royal capital.
• Roy explained the capabilities of the Empire’s Sky Patrolers and Arcane Guards, then reassured the group that their knowledge and skills could still help in battles over resource points.
• Winter gave Roy black fragments that triggered his Alchemy Talent and revealed Inspiration, which could grant Apprentice-level Alchemy Knowledge.

Roy realized that the World Will was the source of treasures and Talent Source Material, then used his new inspiration talent to gain knowledge through alchemy. Meanwhile, Archmage Gem ordered Edwin to capture Tata Mountain Quarry, setting the stage for an attack ten days later.

• Roy concluded that obtaining Talent Source Material required participating in the conquest or dismemberment of a world and hunting its World Will’s origins.
• Roy triggered his inspiration talent while synthesizing gems and gained related knowledge, including a prototype of Shrinking Technique.
• Archmage Gem learned that charging the Elemental Pool with Sky energy would take nearly seventy months and decided to seize Tata Mountain Quarry for its ley line.
• Edwin received orders to attack Tata Mountain Quarry on January 10 and prepared to lead the operation.

Roy strengthened the quarry’s defenses against the expected attack by Archmage Gem’s forces while privately working to improve his control over the Demigod-level Humanoid Angel. The chapter ended with Roy using the Blackening Technique to etch new patterns into the puppet’s mark.

• Roy completed another Advanced Knight-level golem and continued studying the basics of Enchanting.
• Roy received thirty-six ordinary golems and two Advanced Golems from his teacher, then adjusted their command permissions for his allies.
• Roy warned Andov and the others that Archmage Gem could bring powerful forces, but reassured them that their defenses and reinforcements gave them an advantage.
• Roy privately worried that ordinary golems would be ineffective against a Formal-rank mage and that a Level 2 wizard could overwhelm his defenses.
• Roy brought out the Humanoid Angel and used fine black threads to etch its Puppet Mark, seeking to improve his control of the Intelligent Body.

Roy worked to access the Humanoid Angel’s control system while the royal capital came under attack. As he continued preparing a replacement body, he strengthened his defenses with Mantis Bugmen and began another ejection test.

• Roy used his Blackening Profundity to experiment on the Humanoid Angel, and it opened its eyes as his mental spirit entered its internal runes.
• Sky Patrolers attacked the royal capital, where Erlant took shelter as the castle’s defenses fought back and Pegasus Golems engaged the attackers.
• After hearing about the attack, Roy arranged round-the-clock watches while continuing to focus on his own work.
• Sam arrived with twelve Mantis Bugmen rented from Wizard Doni, and Roy assigned them to help defend his territory.
• Roy cultivated a new body after his previous experiment failed, then began another ejection test.

Roy completed the mindless body’s life-support and neural-interface tests, leaving only the final brain transplant before he could regain movement. While preparing to refine a Behemoth Bloodline Potion, he suspected that the Orc Warrior Boss’s soul imprint might explain his earlier failure to refine a Level 1 Agent.

• Roy inspected the test subject’s life functions and successfully connected his Spirit Will to its nerves, making the body move like a puppet.
• Sailen discussed ways to keep Roy’s brain alive during the transplant and warned that nerve signals could cause pain or disorientation afterward.
• Roy reviewed which powers would carry over to the new body and concluded that soul-linked potion effects would remain, while physical traits such as his Bloodline and Blood Mercury Physique would need to be restored.
• On January 8, Roy synthesized another Behemoth Bloodline Potion and gained new information about Bloodline Technique.
• Roy wondered whether the Orc Warrior Boss’s bloodline had been too pure to match the recorded Bloodline Factor information and considered incorporating the imprint in the boss’s soul into his refinement.

Roy discovered that the Golden Behemoth Bloodline combined a Bloodline Seed with faith to draw on divine power, and he sought a way to use it without exposing his soul to a god. After Frosv advised him to isolate the faith through a false response and supplied materials, Roy turned to developing the ability while the Arcane Empire continued attacking the royal city.

• Roy found a book explaining that Golden Behemoths possessed both a Bloodline Seed and a Heart of Faith, allowing them to wield power resembling divine arts.
• Roy reconsidered the risks of drawing on divine power and began modifying the Orc Warrior Boss's Mental Imprint in a Soul Capturing Magic Crystal.
• Roy told Frosv about the Golden Behemoth power, and Frosv advised him to root the will of faith in a Chimera Soul or artificial Intelligent Body using Secret Runes.
• Frosv supplied Roy with materials and explained that Gem's Sky Patroler War Shuttles had repeatedly bombed the royal city from above the world.
• Frosv said the Arcane Empire would eventually need to commit ground forces, giving the wizards a chance to counterattack, and Roy ended the call to work with the materials.

Roy studied the Behemoth Bloodline and planned how to incorporate it into his new body while isolating his Mental Imprint. Meanwhile, Edwin and Planje infiltrated Tata Mountain Quarry and approached the Alchemy Room, where Athedia noticed them.

• Roy learned that the Golden Behemoth's bloodline could grant immense physical strength and decided to pursue it for his new body.
• Roy planned to isolate his Mental Imprint in a dedicated subsystem within his soul and brain.
• Sam joined the quarry's patrols, praised Roy's rapid progress, and asked Andov about obtaining Blood Mercury.
• Sam and Andov realized that intruders had entered the restricted quarry grounds and hurried to investigate.
• Edwin entered the quarry undetected and met Planje, who led him toward Roy's Alchemy Room.
• Athedia challenged someone at the Alchemy Room entrance, while Sailen came out to investigate.

Edwin and Planje attacked Roy’s followers while their allies invaded the quarry, but the defenders were overwhelmed. Roy appeared to save Athedia and Sailen, then Edwin trapped the silver-armored figure with Aether Prison after realizing it was not Roy.

• Planje identified Roy’s guarded position, and Edwin summoned four Water Elementals to attack Athedia and Sailen.
• Sailen alerted the quarry’s golems as an explosion blocked their route, while armored attackers breached several entrances and killed Autoly, Gret, and the centaur guards.
• Olinda and the remaining defenders retreated into a small hall as the attackers used Alchemical Bombs to destroy the quarry’s defenses.
• Edwin blinded Athedia with Flash Burst, and the Water Elementals battered her into the Alchemy Room while Planje gravely wounded Sailen.
• A silver-armored figure emerged from the Alchemy Room, pulled Athedia and Sailen inside, and faced Edwin and Planje.
• Edwin recognized that the figure was not Roy and used Aether Prison to immobilize it as it lunged at him.

Roy and his companions sheltered in the Alchemy Room while Edwin’s forces tried to break through, but a silver battle armor and the Pipiits disrupted the attack. The chapter ended as Edwin used Archinila’s Magic Scroll to unleash a powerful Explosive Flame Ball against the Alchemy Room.

• Roy watched the battle outside through his Spiritual Power and realized the Alchemy Room’s barrier could not hold out indefinitely.
• Sailen and Athedia woke inside the Alchemy Room, while the silver battle armor survived Edwin’s fireball and the Water Elementals’ attack.
• Planje and Edwin retreated as a swarm of Pipiits arrived and destroyed the Water Elementals with self-destructive attacks.
• Edwin learned that golems were fighting his forces and feared reinforcements would arrive, so he rose into the air with Archinila’s Magic Scroll.
• Roy sensed Edwin gathering immense magical energy as Edwin chanted the scroll’s spell and cast Explosive Flame Ball.

Roy’s puppet blocked Edwin’s devastating fireball, but the blast and Archinila’s assault left Roy’s side with heavy casualties. Roy ordered a retreat into the Auxiliary Fortress, where prepared traps and clouds of black mist and mercury vapor began to devastate the pursuers.

• Edwin’s fireball struck the quarry, killing and injuring Roy’s allies while Archinila’s forces pressed their attack.
• Roy’s silver-white puppet intercepted the fireball in midair, surviving the blast though its armor and clothing were destroyed.
• Roy ordered Olinda and the others to abandon the Outer Corridor and retreat to the Auxiliary Fortress.
• Roy’s allies sealed the passages behind them as Archinila’s forces pursued into the fortified area.
• Black mist and mercury vapor filled the passages, and the pursuing mage’s forces suffered heavy casualties.

Roy prepared to transplant his brain into a young artificial body enhanced with the Golden Behemoth Bloodline while Edwin's forces attacked the refuge. Frosv ordered Erant to respond to the crisis but told him to prioritize hunting down Edwin if Roy could not be saved.

• Edwin realized the Humanoid Angel was guarding the refuge without attacking, then ordered his forces to concentrate their fire on it.
• Roy and Sailen assessed the attack and learned that reinforcements would take about eight hours to arrive, so Roy decided to replace his body and fight using the Golden Behemoth's power.
• Roy prepared for the brain transplant while Sailen helped ready the operating table and instruments.
• A Sky Patroler War Shuttle bombed Roy's area as Erant reported the attack to Frosv.
• Frosv ordered the other wizards to hold their positions and sent Erant with the Double Rook, telling him to save Roy if possible but hunt down Edwin if he could not.