Chapter Summaries

After defeating Dennis, Josh weighed whether to keep competing, then learned the championship prize included a gemstone that Akatosh wanted because it had once belonged to him. The promise of ten thousand gold coins changed Josh’s mind, and he asked Akatosh to train him.

• Josh’s victory over Dennis led other competitors to study his limited offensive magic and formidable defenses.
• Josh considered stopping after reaching the top eight, since Magic Cinema had already drawn attention to Rivendell.
• Akatosh urged Josh to pursue the championship and offered to train him, revealing that the prize gemstone contained energy he had left behind as a Main God.
• Josh initially dismissed the idea of competing for the gemstone, but Akatosh told him the champion would also receive ten thousand gold coins.
• Josh grabbed Akatosh and asked him to train him well.

Josh learned new ice spells from Akathosh, including Frozen Tomb and Frost Storm, then used his new magic to defeat Boomred’s half-brother in the sixteen-to-eight round. He advanced while the arena and his family marveled at his strength.

• Josh studied offensive ice magic with Akathosh and developed Frozen Tomb, which could freeze an enemy through mana, and Frost Storm, a battlefield-control spell.
• Kane found Josh and reminded him that he had to compete in the sixteen-to-eight elimination round.
• Josh faced Boomred’s half-brother, the Orc Prince, and slowed him with Frost Storm while secretly leaving mana-bearing ice grains on his clothes.
• Josh triggered the mana marks and froze the Orc Prince despite his abundant Battle Qi, then dispelled the spell once he confirmed the prince was alive.
• The referee confirmed the Orc Prince was safe, and Josh advanced as Black, Ilka, and the others applauded his victory.

After defeating an Orc Prince, Josh watched William and List lose their matches and learned that Kane would face Viesen Silvermoon, the Sixth Tier champion who had beaten him four years earlier. Josh planned to watch Kane fight and hoped to avenge him if he could.

• Josh reflected on how his Frost Magic had defeated the Orc Prince and realized future opponents would be wary of his ice particles.
• Josh watched William and List lose their matches to Jonas and Dennis's older brother, then joined them at a tavern.
• Josh learned that Kane's opponent was Viesen Silvermoon, the Sixth Tier Wind mage who had defeated Kane in the previous competition's final.
• Josh agreed to go cheer for Kane and resolved to study Viesen's strength and avenge Kane if possible.

Kane fought Vison in a close match, using a flight technique based on Josh’s light wings to challenge the Sixth Tier mage before conceding when his Battle Qi ran low. The match ended with Vison advancing and Kane gaining confidence in his strength.

• Kane used a mobile fighting style against Vison, repeatedly attacking while avoiding the mage’s spells.
• Vison unleashed large-scale wind magic, but Kane took to the air with Battle Qi-powered light wings and escaped the attack.
• Kane and Vison fought in the sky for nearly twenty minutes, with Kane proving faster and more evasive despite Vison’s greater power.
• Ilka recognized the light wings’ airflow principle, and Josh’s companions explained that Howard had developed the technique.
• After Vison nearly exhausted his magic, Kane conceded because his own Battle Qi was nearly gone, leaving Vison to win and Kane encouraged by his performance.

After losing to Vison, Kane resolved his doubts and advanced to the Sixth Tier, then celebrated with Josh and the others. He decided to leave Caesarea and join Josh’s territory as chief instructor, provided he could persuade Black to install a teleportation gate.

• Kane told Josh that he had advanced to the Sixth Tier after reflecting on his fight with Vison and resolving the doubts left by his earlier defeat.
• Kane celebrated his advancement with Josh, William, List, and their friends, and credited Josh’s aerial movement technique with helping him reach that realization.
• List said he planned to go to Rivendell after the tournament to learn how to govern, while Kane complained that his military role in Caesarea kept him from real action.
• Josh explained that academy students would handle anti-bandit work and that Garen would serve as an instructor, hoping to discourage Kane from joining him.
• Kane persuaded Josh to appoint him chief instructor in Rivendell, with Garen as his second instructor, and agreed to take on ordinary military duties.
• Josh made Kane’s appointment conditional on persuading Black to install a teleportation gate, and Kane promised to convince him.

Josh prepared to host Kane in Rivendell and then faced the elven ranger Jonas in the tournament. After Jonas struck Josh with a powerful surprise attack, Josh spoke from the smoke and declared that the match was not over.

• Josh agreed that Kane could take a post in Rivendell if Kane persuaded Black to establish a teleportation gate.
• Kane urged Josh to rest before his next match, and Josh spent the night meditating before heading to the arena the following afternoon.
• Josh asked Jonas about his family and invited him to Rivendell, but Jonas deferred the conversation until after the match.
• Jonas attacked Josh with a dagger and Battle Qi arrows, while Josh countered with magic that forced Jonas to dodge.
• Jonas landed a powerful surprise strike that caused an explosion and left him battered, then assumed the match was over.
• Josh spoke from the smoke and told Jonas that the match was not over.

Josh survived Jonas's Sixth Tier attack by revealing that he himself had reached the Sixth Tier, then won their match after Jonas conceded. Afterward, Josh asked Jonas again whether he would come develop in his territory, leaving Jonas's answer unknown.

• Josh escaped Jonas's attack with Frost Tomb and revealed his Sixth Tier magical power to the stunned crowd.
• Jonas recognized Josh's strength, asked why he had hidden it, and conceded defeat.
• The referee declared Josh the winner, and Josh left the arena as the crowd cheered.
• Josh approached Jonas and his father, who praised Jonas and thanked Josh for showing mercy.
• Josh asked Jonas whether he was willing to come develop in his territory.

After defeating Jonas in the Four Nations Invitation, Josh invited him to teach at Rhine University in Rivendell, where a group of elves needed ranger instruction. Jonas weighed the offer with his father’s advice and decided he knew what to do, though the chapter did not reveal his answer.

• Jonas asked Josh why he wanted him to develop in Rivendell, and Josh explained that he needed an outstanding ranger teacher.
• Josh described Rhine University and said he wanted Jonas to instruct a group of elves who had joined his territory.
• Jonas questioned why the elves had not returned to the Star Empire, while Josh gave an explanation Jonas did not fully believe.
• Jonas recalled his defeat by Josh and considered the risks and opportunities of leaving the Star Empire for Rivendell.
• Jonas’s father encouraged him to choose for himself but advised that Rivendell could offer better prospects for him and the Gale Family.
• Jonas told his father that he understood and knew what he should do.

Josh prepared to face Vison Silvermoon in the Four Nations Invitation quarterfinals, while reflecting on the powerful contenders and Vison’s history with Kane. The match was about to begin as both Sixth Tier mages focused on each other.

• Josh considered the strengths of Modesa, Vison, and Avila as he assessed the tournament’s top contenders.
• Josh entered the new arena, which had replaced the venue he had heavily damaged in earlier matches.
• Josh and Vison met before the fight, and Vison revealed that he had known Kane for over ten years and served as his sparring partner.
• Vison explained that Kane’s tactics had caught him off guard but insisted he had not fought at full strength against him.
• Josh and Vison prepared to begin their quarterfinal battle as the referee checked that they were ready.

Josh fought Vison in the tournament, using unusual magic and his sensitivity to elemental fluctuations to withstand the former champion’s relentless attacks. As Vison continued to press him, Josh began to lose patience and prepared to stop defending.

• Josh blocked Vison’s opening wind-blade assault with Impedimenta and counterattacked with ice spikes that exploded into sharp thorns.
• Vison narrowly protected himself from the exploding ice, then took Josh seriously and attacked with full force.
• Black told Ilka and Borot about Josh’s mysterious teacher and the problem that had kept Josh from obtaining Magic elements for years.
• Josh used Frost Magic and his sensitivity to Wind-element fluctuations to evade Vison’s attacks, while the crowd praised the close match.
• As Vison’s relentless offense threatened to wear down his defenses, Josh grew impatient and challenged the idea that he could only defend.

Josh turned the arena into a frozen storm to counter Vison, then transformed the spell into a blazing sea that swallowed his airborne opponent. The fight ended on a sudden eruption of fire, with Vison's fate still unclear.

• After Vison had suppressed him for over ten minutes, Josh gathered his magic power and survived Vison's wind-dragon attack inside a cracked Frost Tomb.
• Josh used ice fragments scattered across the arena to activate the runes he had prepared, unleashing Glacial Storm and forcing Vison to fly above the freezing vortex.
• Vison judged that Josh's spell consumed too much mana and could not reach an opponent in the air, and he believed he had won.
• Josh revealed pale-gold wings of light and changed the frozen arena into a sea of fire.
• Flames and lava erupted across the arena and swallowed Vison as Josh told him he was glad he liked it.

Josh defeated Vison in the arena by switching from ice to fire and overwhelming him with sustained magic, then stopped before the flames killed him. The referee declared Josh Augustus the victor as the crowd cheered.

• Josh unleashed opposing Ice and Fire magic, astonishing the spectators and rulers with his power and golden Elemental Light Wings.
• Black confirmed that Josh had been unable to gain magic elements because they dispersed inside his body, while keeping his four-element nature secret.
• Josh's flames overwhelmed Vison, whose Magic Shield nearly failed as his magic power ran low.
• Josh withdrew his flames before Vison was killed, and Vison recognized that Josh had spared him.
• The referee announced Josh Augustus of the Augustus Empire as the victor, and the crowd cheered.

Josh defeated the previous champion and advanced to the Four Nations Invitation final, where he was set to face the powerful elf princess Avila. As Kars City filled with visitors and Josh’s Magic Cinema drew crowds, he spent the night with Natasha until Akathosh burst in and demanded his help.

• Josh amazed the rulers and spectators with his mastery of Frost Magic and Fire magic after defeating the previous champion.
• Avila easily defeated the Dwarf Empire’s prince and became Josh’s opponent in the final.
• Nobles and soldiers flocked to Josh’s Magic Cinema, whose films inspired admiration for soldiers and earned him steady profits.
• Josh held Natasha and said he would fight for the championship’s ten thousand gold coins, then kissed her as they began to undress.
• Akathosh crashed through the window, accused Josh of pretending he could not hear him, and demanded that Josh help him get something.

On the day of the finals, Josh watched the team competition matches and discussed the value of money, honor, and a new teleportation array with Kane. With the team competition concluded, Josh turned his attention to the individual finals and the ten thousand gold coins he hoped to win.

• Josh arrived at the finals in a foul mood after fighting Akathosh over a threat to spy on his intimate moments with Natasha.
• The Augustus Empire defeated the Elf Empire in the third-place team match, earning Black's approval.
• The Dwarf Empire and the orcs turned their first-place team match into a bloody battle after an orc felled a dwarf, and spectators cheered for the dwarves.
• Kane told Josh that their father had agreed to build a teleportation array in Rivendell within about three months of their return.
• Josh explained to Kane that he cared more about the ten thousand gold coins than championship honor, and Kane urged him to win so their work and lives in Rivendell would be better.

Josh woke shortly before the Four Nations Invitation’s final and prepared to face the powerful elf princess Avila. After the Dwarf Empire’s prince lost to Boomred, Josh entered the arena determined to test his hidden trump card, Seraph.

• Josh considered using his four magic elements against Avila, but Kane warned him that exposing them would put his secrecy and freedom at risk.
• Josh slept through most of the day, then woke after entering deep meditation and hurriedly ate before his final.
• Boomred defeated the Dwarf Empire’s prince but spared him and helped him to his feet.
• Josh discussed the final with Kane and decided that Seraph could give him a chance against Avila, despite her advantage as a ranger.
• Josh and Avila approached the arena entrances as the crowd’s cheers peaked, and Josh recognized her as a troublesome opponent.

Josh faced the elven princess Avila in the tournament and initially gained the upper hand with fast fire and ice magic. After they escaped their Frost Tombs, Josh realized Avila could use magic too and confronted her about it.

• Josh and Avila began their match, and Josh used a Ring of Frost to foil her surprise attack.
• Josh launched a fast fireball that transformed into a phoenix, but Avila evaded it and attacked his flank.
• Josh trapped Avila in a Frost Tomb after her dagger pierced his ice, while he was also sealed inside a second Frost Tomb.
• Josh discovered an unknown mana was interfering with his control of the Frost Tombs and changed to Fire magic to blast them apart.
• Josh saw that Avila had also used magic and asked, "You're a mage too?"

Josh discovered that Avila could wield both Sixth Tier magic and Battle Qi, making her a formidable opponent in the tournament. As they continued their fierce fight, Josh prepared to change tactics, and Avila sensed that something was wrong with his latest move.

• Josh realized Avila had been concealing her ability to cultivate both magic and Battle Qi, and he decided to fight her seriously.
• Josh activated Elemental Light Wings and attacked Avila with fire, ice, and water magic while the crowd watched in amazement.
• Avila countered Josh with her speed, Battle Qi, and magic, repeatedly breaking his Magic Shield and exhausting his power.
• Josh descended after using most of the magic stored in his Elemental Light Wings, while Avila gathered her Battle Qi and launched another attack.
• Avila sensed that something was not quite right as she attacked Josh.

Josh raised his Seraph to its highest rank during his match with Avila, transforming his flames into a giant likeness of himself and revealing power beyond the Sixth Tier. The arena barrier began to crack as Josh returned Avila’s dagger and invited her to face his next attack.

• Avila mistook Josh’s descent for a sign that his magic was running low and attacked him with her dagger and an ice spike.
• Josh gathered magic power while keeping his eyes half-closed, then released flames that engulfed him and trapped Avila’s dagger.
• Avila retreated when she could not pull her dagger free, while Josh focused on controlling his magic instead of pursuing her.
• Josh’s flames transformed into a nearly twenty-meter-tall giant with his face, causing the arena barrier to tremble and crack.
• Black, Bonnot, and Ilka reacted in shock, and Ilka demanded that Black explain what Josh had become.
• Josh pulled Avila’s dagger from the flames, tossed it to her, and said the appetizer was over and the main course was beginning.

Josh’s Seraph pushed his strength into the Seventh Tier, and he overwhelmed Avila in their renewed duel. He left her alive, and Avila admitted defeat.

• Josh sensed that Seraph had raised his power to the Seventh Tier and attacked Avila with an ice blade, shattering the barrier behind her.
• Ilka stopped Josh’s attack from reaching the spectators, declared Josh stronger than Avila, and asked her to surrender.
• Avila refused her father’s order and insisted on fighting Josh, so Ilka shielded the stands with a stronger barrier.
• Avila attacked Seraph but could not pierce it, and Josh drove her back with flames and a powerful sword strike.
• Josh deliberately missed Avila with his final strike, then ended Seraph as she lay injured; Avila acknowledged her defeat.

After defeating Avila, Josh learned that she had fought to fulfill a vow that the man who beat her would become her husband. Josh refused the prospect and proposed that Avila claim the victory while he kept the prize money, leaving her silent as he bargained over their split.

• Josh asked Avila why she had fought so desperately, and she said she had fought for a promise.
• Josh explained that he wanted the ten thousand gold coins to fund his territory, while Avila hesitated before accepting his hand and standing.
• Avila recalled that years of unwanted attention from male elves had led her to vow that she would marry only a man who defeated her, and that she had entered the tournament hoping to defeat Vison and gain peace.
• When Avila began to reveal what the winner of the match would become, Josh cut her off, refused the idea of marrying her, and said he already liked someone else.
• Josh handed Avila her dagger and asked her to pretend she had won because his magic power was exhausted, offering to let her take the championship if he received the reward.
• Avila stayed silent as Josh successively proposed splitting the money ninety-ten, then eighty-twenty, and finally seventy-thirty in his favor.