Chapter Summaries

High-level Wizards Gerald and Bunker targeted Grandmaster Abel to seize the restaurant’s recipes, while Wizard Nigel was coerced into helping them. Gerald broke into the kitchen and attacked the staff, leaving Fink and the Brothers Barney at his mercy.

• High-level Wizard Gerald and High-level Wizard Bunker praised the restaurant’s food, then learned that Grandmaster Abel owned it and decided to take his recipe and assets for the Ice Wind Faction.
• High-level Wizard Nigel warned them that Abel was the Holy Continent’s only human Blacksmith Grandmaster, but Bunker threatened him until he agreed to provide intelligence and accompany them.
• High-level Wizard Gerald broke the kitchen’s Defense Array and blasted Manager Maler, Galen, and Mickey aside with Frost Nova.
• High-level Wizard Nigel canceled the City Spirit’s alarm under Bunker’s pressure, implicating himself in the attack.
• High-level Wizard Gerald demanded the recipe from Fink, and Fink and the Brothers Barney fell to their knees despite remembering Abel’s kindness to them.

High-level Wizard Gerald killed Fink and Barney while trying to uncover the secret of Abel’s dish, but a mental restriction destroyed the information he sought. After learning that Fink and Mickey had died, Abel sent Batorri to investigate Liante City and warned her to flee if she faced danger.

• Fink pretended to show High-level Wizard Gerald how to prepare Rabbit Essence, then poured it over the meat and lost it down the sink.
• High-level Wizard Gerald killed Fink with a Firebolt and searched Barney’s memories, but a pentagram restriction destroyed his probing mental energy, and he killed Barney in frustration.
• High-level Wizard Bunker asked what had happened, and High-level Wizard Gerald said someone had placed a restriction in the brothers’ minds to protect the recipe.
• Abel learned through the Soul Chain that the contracts on Fink and Mickey had disappeared, indicating that both chefs had been killed.
• Abel sent Batorri to investigate Liante City, gave her two Full Vitality Potions, and warned her to seek High-level Wizard Lorenzo and escape if anything seemed wrong.

After learning that High-level Wizard Nigel had fled with Bunker and Gerald toward the Keen Duchy, Abel began evacuating his family and residents from his three castles before the wizards could arrive. Lord Marshall reluctantly left as Abel prepared to face the threat alone.

• High-level Wizards Lorenzo, Alenbi, and Eddington condemned Nigel for helping Bunker and Gerald escape and discussed warning Abel about the Ice Wind Faction wizards.
• Batorri visited the three wizards on Abel's behalf, and Lorenzo revealed that Nigel, Bunker, and Gerald had teleported to the Keen Duchy.
• Abel ordered the residents of Hari Castle, Abel Castle, and Bennett Castle to evacuate through protected teleportation arrays to a concealed location in Harvest City.
• Lord Marshall offered to fight alongside Abel, but Abel urged him to evacuate because the coming battle was between wizards.
• Lord Marshall left after warning Abel to stay safe as the sole heir of Hari Castle.

Abel learned that three Level 17 High-level Wizards were coming to capture him and arranged for Wizard Morton and High-level Wizard Cyril to seek help. The attackers approached Hari Castle, unaware that Abel had already discovered their plan and was waiting for them.

• High-level Wizard Cyril offered to hold off one attacker and contact the Dwarf clan, while Wizard Morton went to alert Evelyn and Murphy.
• Abel resolved to stop hiding his strength, mounted Black Wind, and teleported toward the castle.
• High-level Wizard Nigel led High-level Wizard Bunker and High-level Wizard Gerald through the Keen Duchy and Karal City toward Harvest City.
• Nigel accepted Bunker's promise of Ice Wind Faction membership and admitted that his resentment of Abel had led him to join the attack.
• Abel learned from Batorri that the three High-level Wizards were coming and waited for them, hoping the Dwarf wizards would arrive in time.

Abel prepared his War Fortress to attack three approaching Level 17 High-level Wizards while High-level Wizard Cyril confronted them outside Hari Castle. The chapter ended with High-level Wizard Gerald staying behind to fight Cyril as the other two faced the fortress.

• Abel ordered Tower Spirit Flavie to activate automatic attacks, and Flavie analyzed the War Fortress’s capabilities and devised a battle plan.
• High-level Wizards Gerald and Bunker questioned whether High-level Wizard Nigel had betrayed them after finding Hari Castle apparently empty.
• High-level Wizard Cyril appeared and warned the three intruders that Abel was a friend of the Dwarves.
• High-level Wizard Bunker realized Cyril was stalling for reinforcements, and Cyril admitted he would fight to keep one wizard occupied.
• High-level Wizard Gerald volunteered to stay behind and fight Cyril, insulting the Dwarves as he did so.

High-level Wizard Bunker and High-level Wizard Nigel failed to break Abel’s Hexagram Magic Array with their spells, so Bunker pressured Nigel to teleport inside and seize Abel. Nigel prepared several defenses before entering the array, leaving his next move uncertain.

• High-level Wizard Bunker and High-level Wizard Nigel attacked the Hexagram Magic Array with Blizzard and Meteor, but Abel’s Magic Tower absorbed the attacks without losing energy.
• High-level Wizard Bunker told High-level Wizard Nigel to teleport into the array and bring Abel out, then offered him an Energy Shield defensive scroll.
• High-level Wizard Nigel objected, but Bunker reminded him that he could not leave the Holy Continent like Bunker and High-level Wizard Gerald could.
• High-level Wizard Nigel accepted the task, activated Shattered Ice Armor and several defensive runes, then chose to put away the Energy Shield scroll.

High-level Wizard Nigel tested the Hexagram Magic Array and barely escaped its suppression and city crossbow attack. High-level Wizard Bunker prepared to enter with a shield-bearing Steel Puppet, intending to destroy one of the array’s formation bases.

• Tower Spirit Flavie detected High-level Wizard Nigel inside the Hexagram Magic Array and suppressed him before firing an Armor-piercing Crossbow Bolt.
• High-level Wizard Nigel slowed the bolt with an Ice Element Rune Card and dodged, but the bolt wounded his arm and shattered his defensive items before he escaped with a Teleportation scroll.
• High-level Wizard Bunker mocked High-level Wizard Nigel’s retreat and proposed that they reenter together to destroy a Magic Tower and break the array.
• High-level Wizard Bunker brought out a Steel Puppet carrying a massive shield, while High-level Wizard Nigel healed his wound and applied buffs.
• High-level Wizard Bunker concealed himself behind the Steel Puppet, and the two prepared to enter the array again.

High-level Wizard Bunker and High-level Wizard Nigel entered the Hexagram Magic Array, where Tower Spirit Flavie used a formation disk, blocked their Teleportation, and unleashed a deadly barrage of Siege Crossbow bolts. Abel realized Flavie’s trap had left both wizards with no escape.

• High-level Wizard Bunker and High-level Wizard Nigel entered the Hexagram Magic Array, and Bunker used a formation disk to shield them from its suppression.
• High-level Wizard Nigel began casting Meteorite at a Six-story Magic Tower while High-level Wizard Bunker reinforced his defenses and prepared a Teleportation scroll.
• Tower Spirit Flavie detected the intruders, ignored Meteorite, and used Spatial Lock to prevent their escape.
• High-level Wizard Bunker tried to activate his Teleportation scroll, but it failed, and he took shelter behind the Steel Puppet.
• High-level Wizard Nigel dispelled Meteorite and tried to escape as Siege Crossbow bolts filled the air, but his Teleportation scroll also failed.
• Abel understood that Tower Spirit Flavie had deliberately lured the wizards into a trap and trapped them both.

Abel used the War Fortress’s Arrow Fury to kill High-level Wizard Bunker and High-level Wizard Nigel inside the Hexagram Magic Array. Their deaths sent Soul Lights into the sky, alerting High-level Wizard Gerald and High-level Wizard Cyril.

• Tower Spirit Flavie fired a volley of Armor-piercing Crossbow Bolts that shattered the Steel Puppet protecting High-level Wizard Bunker and High-level Wizard Nigel.
• The bolts destroyed Bunker’s defenses and pierced both Bunker and Nigel, killing them.
• Abel used Mind Telekinesis to collect the dead wizards’ staffs and spatial bags, and Tower Spirit Flavie canceled the second volley when their life signs vanished.
• The Wizard Crystals released Bunker and Nigel’s souls as two beams of Soul Light rose above Hari Castle.
• High-level Wizard Gerald recognized the Soul Lights as belonging to Bunker and Nigel, while High-level Wizard Cyril stopped fighting and watched in shock.

Abel left the Hexagram Magic Array to confront High-level Wizard Gerald after Gerald threatened his clan, then sent Johnson to fight him. Johnson’s speed and attacks kept Gerald dodging, but the battle remained unresolved.

• High-level Wizard Gerald threatened Abel’s clan after Tower Spirit Flavie killed High-level Wizard Bunker and another high-level wizard.
• Abel left the Magic Tower and emerged from the Hexagram Magic Array on Black Wind to face Gerald.
• High-level Wizard Cyril warned Abel against fighting Gerald, but Abel summoned Johnson and ordered it to attack.
• Johnson charged at Gerald with extraordinary speed, forcing him to use Teleportation and evade its attacks.
• Gerald fired Ice Spike spells and dodged Johnson’s giant crossbow, while Johnson’s Burn Mana enhancement made even a light hit dangerous.

Johnson used Death Tornado against High-level Wizard Gerald, whose defenses and mana-recovery potion only delayed the attack. Gerald summoned a Steel Puppet to hold Johnson back, but Johnson knocked it into the air as it pressed toward him.

• Abel sent High-level Wizard Cyril into the Hexagram Magic Array, then ordered Johnson to use Death Tornado before entering the array himself with Black Wind.
• Johnson launched Multi-faceted Iron Balls across the battlefield, and Gerald teleported away but was struck by one that shattered his Ice Armor and triggered Johnson's Burn Mana ability.
• Johnson dodged Gerald's Ice Bullet and fired a crossbow bolt at him, forcing Gerald to sacrifice ten years of lifespan for mana and detonate his staff to block the shot.
• Gerald summoned a Steel Puppet to buy time to escape, but Johnson ignored its attack and sent it flying with a single blow.

Abel and Johnson defeated High-level Wizard Gerald, completing the deaths of the three Level 17 High-level Wizards who had attacked Abel. High-level Wizard Valen and High-level Wizard Lakin arrived too late to help, and Abel welcomed them as guests.

• Johnson reflected the Steel Puppet's attack, then beat High-level Wizard Gerald to death after exhausting his defenses and mana.
• Abel collected High-level Wizard Gerald's spatial bag as another Soul Light rose into the sky.
• High-level Wizard Valen and High-level Wizard Lakin arrived and found the three Soul Lights left by the fallen wizards.
• Johnson returned to Abel, knelt to display its victory, and entered the Hexagram Magic Array when Abel ordered it to go back.
• Abel thanked High-level Wizard Valen and High-level Wizard Lakin, while High-level Wizard Cyril joked that he should serve them Master Wine and legendary dishes.
• Wizard Morton, Wizard Ivlin, and Wizard Murphy recognized that the Hexagram Magic Array was now an exceptionally safe place after the three wizards' deaths.

After the deaths of three Level 17 High-level Wizards, Abel reassured his family and hosted the Dwarf High-level Wizards at dinner. He upgraded Master Wine into Premium Master Wine, which impressed the dwarves, and left them eager to taste more.

• Abel told Knight Bennett and Lord Marshall that the danger had passed as they watched the three Soul Lights fade.
• Abel and the Wizards silently watched the souls of the three Level 17 High-level Wizards dissipate over four hours.
• Abel combined three barrels of Master Wine into Premium Master Wine and had Batorri taste it.
• High-level Wizards Valen and Lakin decided to stay at Hari Castle after gaining insights from Abel's food.
• Abel served the dwarves a small bottle of Premium Master Wine, and Valen was stunned by its intense flavor and strength.

After discovering that Abel’s Premium Master Wine improved meditation, High-level Wizard Lakin alerted Old Goff, who recognized the growing value of the Dwarf race’s city ballistas after hearing that they had killed two high-level wizards. Meanwhile, Abel strengthened the War Fortress’s Small War Puppets with Top-tier Magic Stones.

• High-level Wizard Lakin found that Abel’s Premium Master Wine improved his meditation and contacted Old Goff to discuss obtaining it.
• High-level Wizard Lakin told Old Goff that Abel had killed three Level 17 high-level wizards, including two shot by Repeating Strong City Ballistas.
• Old Goff concluded that the Dwarf race’s city ballistas would become highly sought-after and began considering how to trade them for the greatest benefits.
• High-level Wizard Valen and High-level Wizard Cyril also noticed the wine’s effect, while Valen considered staying with Abel longer.
• Abel replaced the Magic Stones in one hundred Small War Puppets with Top-tier Magic Stones, and Tower Spirit Flavie reported that their usage duration was unknown.

After killing three High-level Wizards, Abel sorted their spoils and discovered Dark World equipment in one of their space bags, raising new questions about its origins. In Liante City, officials struggled to understand how Abel had defeated the three level-seventeen Wizards without suffering losses.

• Abel examined High-level Wizard Nigel’s and High-level Wizard Bunker’s spoils, finding a sealed fire-element spirit beast soul, Spell Scrolls, and knight equipment recognized by the Horadric Cube as Dark World items.
• Abel gave Tower Spirit Flavie control of the Steel Puppets, letting her move freely and organize the spoils in the Magic Tower.
• Abel opened a Teleportation Gate to the Dark World and checked the condition of Horadric Malus in the Rogue Encampment.
• An Intelligence Department report confirmed that High-level Wizard Nigel, High-level Wizard Bunker, and High-level Wizard Gerald had died, while Abel’s side suffered no losses.
• High-level Wizard Lorenzo, High-level Wizard Alenbi, and High-level Wizard Eddington reviewed Abel’s forces and questioned how they could have defeated three level-seventeen High-level Wizards.

After Abel’s defenses killed three High-level Wizards, news of his strength spread across the Holy Continent, prompting rulers and Wizards to seek alliances and buy siege crossbows. Hari Castle became a destination for curious Wizards, while Abel’s deliberate publicity about the Hexagram Magic Array concealed the War Fortress’s ability to seal space.

• An Intermediate Wizard reported that Nigel and Bunker had been killed by siege crossbows inside Abel’s Hexagram Magic Array, while Gerald had been killed by Abel’s iron giant beast.
• Lorenzo, Alenbi, and Eddington accepted the report; Alenbi ordered Liante City to buy siege crossbows, and they discussed Nigel’s death and the redistribution of his interests.
• Prime Minister Duke Starton ordered a lavish congratulatory gift for Abel and a large purchase of siege crossbows, while other kingdoms and Wizards Guilds responded to the news.
• Duke Albert and Grand Duchess Edwina acknowledged Abel’s growing status and agreed that he was worthy of Lorraine.
• Lord Marshall handled the surge of visitors to Hari Castle after its teleportation array opened, as Wizards flocked to inspect the Hexagram Magic Array.
• Abel allowed information about the Hexagram Magic Array to spread so that attention would remain on it rather than the War Fortress’s space-sealing ability.

Bernie visited Abel to obtain Premium Master Wine, which Abel offered to trade for a Floating Fortress Base. After Bernie left, Wizard Morton asked to move the apprentices from outside Gamba City to Abel’s territory, and Abel agreed to leave the arrangements to him.

• Batorri told Abel that Bernie had arrived, and Abel received him at Hari Castle.
• Bernie learned that Premium Master Wine could help Wizards meditate, tasted it, and discussed its strength and name with Abel.
• Bernie asked how many bottles Abel could sell, and Abel offered twenty bottles in exchange for a Floating Fortress Base.
• Bernie accepted the wine and agreed to ask his family whether they would trade a base for a hundred bottles.
• Wizard Morton asked Abel to bring the apprentices outside Gamba City to his territory, and Abel gave Morton permission to handle it.

Advanced Wizard Dunn used Wizard Morton's red wine, provided by Abel, to restore his body and successfully advanced from Level 17 to Level 18. His disciples guarded the Magic Tower, and Dunn resolved to repay Abel for the favor.

• Advanced Wizard Dunn entered seclusion with the red wine Wizard Morton had brought, hoping it would repair the damage to his body and let him advance.
• Intermediate Wizard Aborta and Intermediate Wizard Xikoke guarded the Magic Tower for months, turning away nearby wizards when they sensed Dunn's Promotion Qi.
• A mana vortex formed above the Magic Tower as wizards gathered nearby to witness Dunn's advancement.
• Advanced Wizard Dunn completed his advancement to Level 18 and felt his vitality and remaining lifespan increase.
• Dunn remembered Abel's role in providing the red wine and decided to find a way to repay him.

High-level Wizard Dunn emerged from seclusion after advancing to Level 18 and learned that his disciple Morton had also advanced. He then heard that Abel had killed three Level 17 high-level wizards who tried to capture him, leaving Dunn shocked by the events that had unfolded during his retreat.

• High-level Wizard Dunn left his Magic Tower and reunited with Intermediate Wizard Aborta and Intermediate Wizard Xikoke, who had guarded him during his advancement.
• High-level Wizard Edwen and High-level Wizard Ansem congratulated Dunn and acknowledged that his new power made him the leading authority in the Saint Ellis Wizard Guild.
• Edwen told Dunn that Wizard Morton had advanced, delighting Dunn and his two disciples.
• Dunn learned that High-level Wizard Colifer was dead, and Edwen explained that Ice Wind Faction wizards Bunker and Gerald had joined Nigel in trying to capture Abel.
• Edwen revealed that Nigel and Bunker had been killed by Abel's city crossbows, while Abel's Contract Beast had killed Gerald.

Abel and the dwarven wizards met High-level Wizard Dunn when he arrived at Hari Castle, and Wizard Morton introduced Dunn as his teacher. Dunn thanked Abel for the wine that helped him reach Level 18, welcomed Abel into the Lightning Faction, and promised to deal with the Ice Wind Faction before leaving the Holy Continent.

• High-level Wizard Valen sensed a Level 18 wizard arriving, and Abel joined the wizards at the teleportation array with Cyril’s help.
• Nine Steel Puppets aimed siege crossbows at High-level Wizard Dunn until Wizard Morton appeared and identified Dunn as his teacher.
• The dwarf wizards withdrew their defensive spells and returned to the dining hall, while Abel welcomed Dunn and accompanied him and Morton to Morton’s Magic Tower.
• Dunn credited Abel’s red wine with helping him break through to Level 18, and Morton expressed relief that Dunn could protect Abel from the Ice Wind Faction.
• Dunn declared that the Lightning Faction would support Abel and promised to leave immediately to resolve the Ice Wind Faction’s attack.