At the moment Amber fell, all the "preservation arts" established throughout the Material Realm instantly failed--
The ancient buildings of Wanning that had stood for tens of thousands of years, the royal palaces of Avalon and Star Antimony, and even the giant tree that formed the body of the Eternal Theocracy all shed their dusky yellow hue, like old photographs, at the same moment, losing the protection of the preservation art.
Under the influence of the preservation art, these things could resist "change," ignoring the decay brought by the passage of time--whether it was insect damage, dampness, wind erosion, scraping from external forces, or the effects of earthquakes, none could pass through the preservation art and harm the buildings themselves.
It was precisely because of this that the world could have so many ancient buildings that remained as pristine as ever after thousands or even tens of thousands of years. Long-lived species like dragons and elves would not be forced to rebuild their cities and homes over and over during their lifetimes.
--And what was most greatly affected by the complete failure of the preservation art?
There was only one answer.
The Spirit Tower.
The former--now the former former Headmaster--Matthias Grünewald was the only lich in the world.
His phylactery had been preserved in the preservation chamber of the Spirit Tower, and the power leaking from it had formed a special barrier capable of freezing and preserving everything.
Just as the fall of Supreme Heaven meant the destruction of the warrior's path, the fall of the Silver Crowned Dragon symbolized the loss of power in Extraordinary Skills centered on Law Spells. Unless one willingly lowered one's level by half and joined a new path... one would directly lose all one's power.
Just like the Giant King's son once imprisoned by