Chapter Summaries

Angel and Falina headed to the judges’ room, where they encountered a black-cat contestant who had brutally injured a man backstage. As Angel inspected the contestants and learned about the tournament’s chosen opening match, he asked who would be fighting in it.

• Falina told Angel that the judges’ standards meeting had already ended, then led him toward the Boundless Arena.
• A black cat burst through a backstage door after injuring a man, but left him alive when it recognized Angel and Falina.
• Falina treated the injured man and explained that the black cat was a contestant with an unusually advanced bloodline transformation.
• Angel used his spiritual force to observe the contestants, including the black cat and several formidable rivals, without noticing a book-reading youth watching its passage.
• Falina explained that the opening match was selected from the scheduled pairings to showcase an exciting confrontation, and Angel asked who the opponents were.

Angel learned that the mysterious Deceiver, a Savage Cave contestant who resembled his Milk Baron persona, would face Domenico, the nature wizard known as Spring Waltz. Deceiver won the right to choose the arena field but drew a windy Woolly Needlegrass Plain that favored Domenico, and Spring Waltz entered with a flamboyant, flirtatious display.

• Falina told Angel that Domenico, Spring Waltz, was a nature wizard trained by Rand of Beacon Academy and that Deceiver came from Savage Cave.
• Angel recognized that Deceiver's mask, mysterious reputation, and Revolver sounded like the Milk Baron persona, but he did not know who was behind it.
• The contestants entered the Boundless Arena, and Deceiver won the card-face guessing game and the right to draw the field.
• Deceiver drew the Woolly Needlegrass Plain in High Winds, a field that favored Domenico's nature magic.
• Spring Waltz emerged in flamboyant clothes, conjured a rose, and struck flirtatious poses that left much of the audience speechless.

Domenico made a flamboyant entrance into the Boundless Arena before meeting his opponent, Deceiver, whose mysterious Savage Cave origins drew the narrator’s attention. As the judges were introduced, Angel watched from the judges’ room and felt uneasy about Kemonai because of Deceiver.

• Domenico performed for the outside audience, transforming a rose into a sword and finishing with a kiss as the arena door disappeared.
• Deceiver confronted Domenico, who teased him about being jealous of his fans and insisted he was presenting them with a gift.
• Deceiver emerged from the black mist, and the narrator introduced him as a mysterious contestant from Savage Cave; Deceiver’s hand trembled when the Research Institute was mentioned.
• The narrator began introducing the judges, and Melantha appeared in the first of thirteen seats around the Dome.
• Falina explained the resident and invited judges to Angel, who watched the introductions and recalled Kemonai, feeling uneasy because of Deceiver.

Angel recognized the masked Deceiver as Spivey, formerly known as the vanished Little Devil, Grak, while Kemonai and the judges discussed the missing soul Grak had left behind. As the guest judges took their places, the commentator prepared to announce Angel as the final judge.

• Angel recognized the Deceiver as Spivey, Flora's disciple, and told Falina and Kemonai that he belonged to the lineage of Demon Illusion Island.
• Kemonai revealed that his close friend Grak, the Little Devil, had fallen in Sleepless City and that Asethos had been unable to find his soul.
• Hydra refused Kemonai's request to help search for Grak because Asethos had already searched for him.
• Falina, Kemonai, and Hydra appeared as guest judges, and Spivey recognized Kemonai on the arena's light screen.
• Gloria and Liana speculated about Angel's title before the commentator began introducing the final guest judge.

Angel appeared in the New Star Tournament finale, confirming his advancement to an official wizard and revealing his chosen nickname, Transcendent Dimension. As the match countdown approached its end, Spivey accepted Angel’s success and prepared to face Domenico.

• Angel appeared before the audience, and his information displayed the nickname Transcendent Dimension, confirming the rumors that he had advanced to an official wizard.
• Gloria and Liana discussed the meaning of Angel’s nickname, while Melantha and other spectators reacted to his advancement.
• Angel reflected that he had chosen Transcendent Dimension to express his aspirations, including fulfilling his promise to Jon and seeking truth beyond the universe’s limits.
• Spivey overcame his envy of Angel’s progress and recognized that Angel’s advancement benefited their shared lineage.
• Domenico teased Spivey about the difference between their achievements, and Spivey ignored him as the match countdown reached its final minute.

Spivey and Domenico fought in the Boundless Arena, where Spivey used deception to escape Domenico’s trap and wound him. Angel believed Spivey was deliberately holding back because his old friend Kemonai was watching, and predicted that Spivey would ultimately lose.

• Domenico trapped Spivey between thorned vines and a storm of razor-sharp rose petals.
• Spivey fooled Domenico with a false image and illusory Jester Stilettos, forcing him to open the vine prison and letting Spivey walk free.
• Domenico hesitated over another stiletto, then took a real one to the shoulder as Spivey revealed the deception.
• Falina asked Angel who he favored, and Angel said he expected Spring Waltz to win because Spivey could not reveal his former abilities or tools while Kemonai watched.
• Five minutes into the match, Spivey had made no effective counterattack, and he and Domenico remained evenly matched.

Domenico defeated Spivey in the New Star Tournament, while Spivey chose not to reveal a hidden technique that might expose him. Afterward, Hydra opened his prophetic eyes toward Angel and implied that Angel knew why Spivey had hidden his abilities, leaving the group to seek Melantha’s opinion.

• Domenico overwhelmed Spivey with his Spring Waltz, shattered his mask, and forced him to admit defeat.
• Spivey decided against using a trick that could turn the match around because Kemonai might recognize it, and Domenico was declared the victor.
• Kemonai told Falina and Angel that Spivey seemed to be hiding his true abilities, while Hydra opened his eyes and directed his insight toward Angel.
• Angel used a Green Pattern Domain Field to block Hydra’s gaze, and Hydra explained that the Tree-Perched Serpent had pointed him toward Angel for an answer.
• Hydra noted that Spivey was also from Savage Cave, and Angel suspected Hydra had noticed a clue about him.
• Kemonai revealed that Melantha had requested his evaluation and asked for their opinions, so Falina suggested they go ask her directly.

Angel and Falina gave the tournament apprentices their assessments of the Deceiver, then left to prepare for the next day. On his way out, Angel met a contestant reading a philosophy book and realized the seemingly innocent boy was likely responsible for a blood-soaked scene in the contestants' backstage area.

• The tournament apprentices asked Kemonai, Falina, and Angel to assess the Deceiver for the New Star Tournament rankings, and Angel judged his potential to be very high.
• Kemonai left to watch a match, while Falina went to judge several matches and Angel decided to return to the manor to prepare for his lesson.
• Angel encountered a boy reading Lies of Nidbergen near the contestants' backstage area; the boy said he was studying because his next match was against the Deceiver.
• After leaving the Infinite Battle Tower with Gloria, Angel recalled sensing blood throughout the backstage area and identified the boy's aura as the strongest among the traces of battle.

The New Star Tournament’s first day drew attention for Xi Li and Ye He’s fierce match, Spring Waltz’s showcase victory over Deceiver, and Angel’s arrival as a formal wizard. Angel then began teaching a small alchemy class at Ashilia Comprehensive Academy, where he found that most of his students specialized in fields other than enchantment.

• Xi Li unexpectedly conceded to Ye He after their nearly hour-long battle, and Ye He went on to defeat his later opponents decisively.
• Spring Waltz defeated Deceiver in the showcase match, impressing the audience with her graceful combat style.
• Angel appeared as a formal wizard and Research Institute member, confirming that he had advanced.
• Angel arrived at Ashilia Comprehensive Academy to teach a class limited to fifty students, including familiar faces Niloson, Glen, and Boli.
• Angel saw that most of his students studied mechanical alchemy, synthesis, or potionology, so he planned to teach alchemical techniques through the Alchemical Illusion Realm while keeping enchantment as his focus.

Angel taught an Ashilia lecture on alchemy through the interaction of energy and matter, then answered questions from students across different schools. He began considering how to address Du Fan’s deliberately difficult question about Demon Bloodstone as the five-minute question period neared its end.

• Angel established classroom rules and introduced energy and matter as the focus of his lesson on alchemy.
• Angel explained enchantment concepts in concise answers to Boli’s questions, impressing Vanason with his command of the subject.
• A Fusion school alchemist asked how energy and matter interacted during Fusion, and Angel described four forms of that interaction.
• Du Fan asked how Demon Bloodstone would affect the fourth form, prompting Angel to pause and consider whether to answer before time ran out.

Angel rapidly proved an alchemy formula that used Demon Blood energy to calculate energy changes in Demon Bloodstones, leaving Vanason convinced the proof was correct and Du Fan humbled. Angel then assigned Du Fan the task of compiling a table of energy changes for commonly used Demon Bloodstones as compensation for taking up the class's question time.

• Angel filled thirty-seven illusory whiteboards with a rapid proof of an alchemy formula while Du Fan and the others struggled to follow.
• Vanason finished reading the proof and concluded that Angel's formula and reasoning were correct.
• Du Fan recognized Vanason's reaction and accepted that Angel had answered his question.
• Angel explained how the formula could calculate energy changes in Demon Bloodstones and ordered Du Fan to compile a table for commonly used types.
• Du Fan reluctantly agreed to the assignment as the class watched him endure the consequences of his question.

Angel answered Vanason’s questions about the Silent Reaction and named a newly proved alchemical formula before teaching the class about the Alchemical Illusion Realm. He ended the lesson by activating the Shadow of the Cage, transporting the students into a quiet town at night.

• Angel invited questions, and Vanason asked about controlling the Silent Reaction; Angel outlined methods that inspired Vanason and the other alchemists.
• Vanason asked what Angel would name his Demon Blood energy formula, and Angel called it the Demon Blood Energy Variation Formula.
• Angel continued his lecture on the Alchemical Illusion Realm, explaining its key points in detail until the lesson’s main topic was complete.
• Angel introduced the Shadow of the Cage and activated its stage-play playback, and the students found themselves in a tranquil town shrouded in night.

Vanason visited Midora at the Potion Hut and discussed his efforts to improve the Bloodline Soothing Potion. After learning that Angel’s advice on quiescent reactions could solve a key problem, Midora asked Vanason to describe the rest of Angel’s class.

• Vanason heard rumors about the New Star Tournament and Angel’s class as he walked through the Reverse-side District, but he did not correct them.
• Tuya met Vanason at the Potion Hut, where Midora explained that Tuya was upset because Princess Shan had been eliminated.
• Midora asked Vanason how his potion brewing was going, and Vanason described his revised approach to the Bloodline Soothing Potion.
• Vanason explained Angel’s methods for handling quiescent reactions, and Midora confirmed that the solutions were correct and comprehensive.
• Midora asked Vanason what Angel had taught in class and how the lesson had turned to quiescent reactions.

Vanason recounted Angel’s class to Midora, who was impressed by Angel’s handling of Du Fan’s challenges and his Alchemical Illusion Realm. The conversation ended when Fingernail Granny emerged from the kitchen and asked who the protagonist named Alex was.

• Vanason told Midora how Angel had taught the broad subject of interaction between energy and matter and answered Du Fan’s questions.
• Yeliya scolded Tuya in the kitchen while she and her friend listened to Vanason’s account.
• Vanason described how Angel answered Du Fan’s hostile question about demonic blood energy by creating a new alchemical formula in three minutes.
• Vanason recounted Angel’s punishment for Du Fan and the Alchemical Illusion Realm called Shadow of the Cage, which excited him as a new form of artistic presentation.
• Vanason imagined a script about himself as its protagonist, then mentioned Alex, prompting Fingernail Granny to ask who Alex was.

Angel taught another class on the Alchemical Illusion Realm while Fingernail Granny watched, then released Shadow of the Cage at her request. As they entered its illusion, Fingernail Granny remembered a conversation with someone named Alex and recognized his name from a play.

• Angel returned to Ashilia and began teaching, but Fingernail Granny's presence made the class tense and quiet.
• Angel ended the lesson early because few students asked questions, then released Shadow of the Cage for the newcomers at Fingernail Granny's prompting.
• Fingernail Granny praised Angel's teaching and said she had come both to hear the lecture and to confirm something about Shadow of the Cage.
• As the illusion took hold, Fingernail Granny recalled a memory of a blurred figure criticizing a play called Alex's Red and Black because its baron shared his mortal name.
• Fingernail Granny realized that the name Alex had resurfaced in her memories after Vanason had said it.

Fingernail Granny watched Angel’s Shadow of the Cage illusion, hoping its protagonist Alex might be connected to someone she had lost. After noticing several uncanny similarities, she asked Angel whether Alex had a prototype, and he told her the fictionalized story had truly existed.

• Fingernail Granny entered the illusion to investigate Alex, whose name had once belonged to the person she had searched for over many years.
• She watched the story unfold and noticed that Alex shared the lost person’s white hair and an accent resembling that of the Thirteenth Yin'an Continent of the Stone Mulberry Dynasty.
• After the illusion ended, Fingernail Granny asked Angel whether Alex had a prototype, then discussed her suspicions with him privately.
• Fingernail Granny admitted that the similarities made her hope Alex’s connection was real, and Angel said the story had truly existed despite his fictionalized illusion.

Fingernail Granny told Angel how Ivo Sprit’s use of the Lucky Scroll led to the creation of a mysterious object that destroyed its surroundings and trapped him in oblivion. She left Angel knowing that Ivo was the man behind the Reincarnation Box and that its refinement had begun her friend’s disaster.

• Angel admitted he did not know where Alex’s story took place or where Alex was, then asked why Fingernail Granny cared about him.
• Fingernail Granny connected the Lucky Scroll’s appearance to a man’s disaster and began recounting events from more than a thousand years earlier.
• She explained that Ivo Sprit, a gifted alchemist, used the Lucky Scroll to refine a mysterious object in hopes of reaching the realm of mystery.
• The refinement succeeded, but the object began eroding the world and collapsing its laws; Ivo sent Fingernail Granny to safety and was trapped in the sealed space.
• Fingernail Granny revealed that Ivo had refined the Reincarnation Box, the missing mysterious object commemorated at Fantasy Mechanical City.

Angel connected the Reincarnation Box forged by Ivo to the Casket of the Undead's Reincarnation that Frost had mentioned, tying together the fragments of his memories. Fingernail Granny recalled how Ivo sacrificed himself to enter the collapsing void, and Angel was left with a plausible but unconfirmed explanation of the mystery.

• Angel learned that Alex had been Ivo's mortal name and considered how their similarities fit with the other memories.
• Fingernail Granny remembered how Ivo apologized after the mysterious object was forged and the world began collapsing.
• Ivo put a barrier between himself and Fingernail Granny, then entered the void around the Reincarnation Box to try to change the outcome.
• Ivo's actions sent Fingernail Granny into an empty void and saved her, though she never saw him again.
• Angel recalled Frost describing the Casket of the Undead's Reincarnation and connected it to Ivo's Reincarnation Box.

Angel connected the Reincarnation Box to Frost’s Casket of the Undead’s Reincarnation and deduced that Gust Town had been one of its scenarios, with Alex possibly being Ivo. He explained his theory to Fingernail Granny while concealing how he had reached Gust Town, and she accepted Frost as the source of his knowledge.

• Angel compared the Reincarnation Box and the Casket of the Undead’s Reincarnation, concluding that Gust Town had likely been a scenario inside the same mysterious object.
• Angel reasoned that Ivo might have lost his memories and wizard powers in the Reincarnation Box and become Alex, while the Void Illusion Gate had carried his illusory body across worlds.
• Fingernail Granny asked Angel how he knew the story of Shadow of the Cage and where Alex was.
• Angel described the Black Castle incident, Frost’s account of mysterious objects, and the Casket’s cycles of scenarios.
• Angel mentioned Gust Town as one of Frost’s scenarios, and Fingernail Granny concluded that Frost had told Angel the story.

Angel told Fingernail Granny that Alex of Gust Town might be Ivo, giving her hope after a thousand years of searching. She considered entering the Casket of the Undead's Reincarnation to find him, while Angel left uncertain whether he could meet Alex again through the Void Illusion Gate.

• Angel recounted Frost's account of the Casket of the Undead's Reincarnation, and Fingernail Granny concluded that Alex might be Ivo.
• Fingernail Granny asked Angel what happened to Alex after he entered the Realm of the Dead, but Angel said he did not know the story's ending.
• Fingernail Granny asked for the Casket's location, and Angel warned her about its dangers before sharing Frost's report of an out-of-control object near the Ancient Ya Realm.
• Fingernail Granny asked to tell the Research Institute and prophecy wizards, and Angel agreed as long as she did not mention Frost.
• Angel inspected the Door Model and estimated that its energy would take about half a year to recharge.