Chapter Summaries

Emilia and Little Liana were trapped in Belinder Big Ben by the Angel Level Relic Corpse in the Wall, which pursued them up the stairs. Just as they were about to be overwhelmed, Shade reached them and attacked the relic with Moonlight Slash.

• Emilia recognized the moving shapes in the Clock Tower walls as Corpse in the Wall and tried to escape with Little Liana up the stairs.
• The relic weakened Emilia and Little Liana, and both fell as the cracked, mucus-covered wall figures closed in on them.
• Emilia refused to leave Little Liana behind and stood between her friend and the advancing darkness, calling for Shade to save her.
• Shade used Enhanced Space Perception and Laguerre's Leap to reach them as a swarm of red butterflies, briefly driving the relic back.
• Shade returned to human form, raised Night Watchman, and struck at Corpse in the Wall with Moonlight Slash.

Shade carried Emilia and Little Unicorn up Belinder Big Ben while the Corpse in the Wall pursued them, then prepared to confront the Angel Level Relic at the tower’s summit. Outside, church arcanists arrived and recognized the danger as possibly involving an Angel Level Relic.

• Shade carried Emilia and Little Unicorn up the stairs as the Corpse in the Wall’s darkness pursued them.
• Emilia recited the Night Watchman’s Ancient Elvish runes and regained her senses, while Shade used Moon’s Thorn to seal the stairwell against the pursuing relic.
• Shade, Emilia, and Little Unicorn reached the observation platform, where black tentacles and corpse-like figures emerged from the corridor walls.
• Shade summoned the Yggdrasil Staff and prepared with the Night Watchman as the relic’s core approached.
• Creation Church arcanists gathered outside Belinder Big Ben, and a Dawn Church elder suspected the tower’s corruption involved an Angel Level Relic.

Shade drove the Angel Level Relic, Corpse in the Wall, away from the clock tower with a powerful Silver Moon spell, but a crow feather pierced his heart immediately afterward. Emilia watched Shade die as a crow-headed man appeared on the observation deck.

• Iluna Bayes recognized the Corpse in the Wall at Belinder Big Ben, but canceled her attack when she sensed Shade above the tower.
• Shade unleashed Silver Moon from Night Watchman and the Yggdrasil Staff, temporarily driving the relic away and bathing the city in moonlight.
• Emilia realized what she truly wanted while the moonlight washed over her, and Dorothy sent Tifa to check the clock tower while the others went to Belinder Manor.
• Shade collapsed from exhaustion after the relic vanished, and a Crow Feather pierced his heart as he stood with Emilia.
• Shade died in the rain, and the Little Unicorn mourned beside him while Emilia watched in shock.
• A black crow landed on the observation deck, transformed into a crow-headed man, and approached Emilia.

Emilia Sinode confronted Mr. Crow after Shade died protecting her, and refused his offer to become his messenger despite his power. As Mr. Crow prepared to kill her, Emilia took up the Night Watchman and raised it against him, leaving her poised to fight for everyone.

• Mr. Crow revealed himself to Emilia and offered her power in exchange for becoming his messenger and spreading Misfortune.
• Emilia refused the offer, declaring she would protect the world and would not let Mr. Crow have what he wanted.
• The Little Unicorn helped Emilia regain control, but Mr. Crow knocked the Yggdrasil Staff and the Little Unicorn away, leaving Emilia to take up the Night Watchman.
• Emilia attacked Mr. Crow with the sword, but he evaded her and used Crow Feathers to wound her and knock the blade from her grip.
• Emilia rejected Mr. Crow again, called him an enemy of civilization, and drew the Night Watchman as he prepared to strike her with a swarm of feathers.

Emilia awakened the Sword of Light and joined Shade and Doctor Schneider in trapping the Demon of Misfortune, Pharnalius. Shade fell with the burning Demon toward the harbor, while Emilia rode Little Liana after them.

• Emilia was struck by golden lightning and awakened a white Sword of Light that healed her and inscribed the Hero Spirit Rune on her Destiny Ring.
• Shade revealed he had survived, and he and Emilia attacked Pharnalius while Doctor Schneider briefly restrained the Demon with a giant hand.
• Shade stopped Pharnalius with Adele's Time Stop long enough for the Great Sin Chains to bind it, and Emilia struck it with the Sword of Light.
• Shade pierced Pharnalius with the Red Glass Bead, igniting the Demon in scarlet flames, then grappled with it as the chains bound them both.
• Pharnalius dragged Shade off the Clock Tower and fell with him toward the harbor, while Doctor Schneider flew after them.
• Emilia mounted the recovered Little Liana and flew south toward the coast with the Sword of Light.

Shade and his allies cornered and defeated the crow-like Misfortune Demon at Moon Bay Port, while Emilia’s Sword of Light appeared in battle. After Doctor Schneider took the Demon away to banish it, Shade reunited with Iluna and met Illustrious Miss.

• Iluna left Mr. Kamora to hold back the Angel Level Relic and rode toward the harbor to keep the Church from interfering with Shade.
• Shade escaped the burning water with the crow-man, but exhaustion forced him to sink beneath the sea as Doctor Schneider tried to seize the Demon.
• Emilia, Doctor Schneider, Illustrious Miss, and Iluna attacked the crow as it tried to flee, and Shade returned to strike it with Thunder using the Yggdrasil Staff.
• Shade ordered Doctor Schneider to banish the weakened crow, then told Iluna to give the Church a Crow Feather and say the God Summoner had tried to seal Misfortune Demon-Pharnalius.
• Shade embraced Iluna, explained that Emilia had only fulfilled the sword condition, and greeted Illustrious Miss when she said, "Long time no see, Shade."

Shade reunited with Miss Illustrious after the sea battle, rescued Emilia, and learned that Doctor Schneider had emerged safely with a gift for Miss Sianode. As the city prepared to welcome Princess Margaret Anjou, Countess Bella Belinder worried about the complications awaiting Shade at her manor.

• Miss Illustrious appeared before Shade, promised to meet him again at Princess Margaret’s welcome banquet, and reminded him that he owed her three kisses.
• Shade comforted the exhausted Emilia, then Doctor Schneider emerged safely and gave Shade a Red Glass Bead for Miss Sianode before returning to Tobesk.
• Shade rode away with Emilia on the Little Unicorn and wondered whether Doctor Schneider might suffer from the effects of wielding inhuman power.
• Countess Bella Belinder waited at the train station for Princess Margaret Anjou and worried that the Duke Galina’s maids might encounter Shade and Emilia at her manor.
• The nobles, reporters, and orchestra gathered as Princess Margaret’s train arrived in Moon Bay City.

Princess Margaret arrived in Moon Bay City for a political visit, then secretly left her manor to meet with three Great Witches at Belinder Manor. The Witches learned about the battle at Belinder Big Ben and prepared to speak with Shade, while Margaret worried about his condition.

• Earl Belinder, Earl Eddington, and Earl Hawthorne welcomed Princess Margaret at the train station, where she greeted Countess Belinder first.
• Margaret rested at Margaret Manor while Siris used her appearance and memories to impersonate her, allowing Margaret to leave secretly.
• Miss Belinder told Margaret, Miss Benanis, and Miss Sylvia that Shade had helped defeat and drive away the Misfortune Demon-Pharnalius after an Angel Level Relic appeared and Emilia drew the Sword of Light.
• Miss Benanis and Miss Sylvia questioned whether Emilia could be the Chosen One of Light and Dragon, while Margaret quietly asked whether Shade was all right.
• The Witches and Margaret arrived at Belinder Manor, where Miss Belinder welcomed them and Margaret accepted being treated only as a Witch Apprentice.

Shade revealed his true identity to Bella Belinder and reconciled with the Witches over his relationships with them. The reunion was interrupted when Miss Benanis opened the door and found a small white beast outside.

• Miss Belinder and Miss Benanis visited the room where Shade watched the sleeping Emilia with Tifa and the Black-Haired Maid.
• Bella confronted Shade about his relationships with Tifa and the Witches, and he admitted that he was Shade Hamilton.
• Miss Benanis listed several women close to Shade, and Shade identified Luvia Annette as his partner.
• Shade apologized to Bella and introduced himself as Shade Suellen Hamilton, while Bella and Miss Benanis agreed to put their disagreement behind them.
• Miss Benanis opened the door after hearing three knocks and found a small white beast trying to knock with its horn.

Shade confirmed that Emilia was no longer marked by the Crow, then told her how she helped Doctor Schneider defeat the Misfortune Demon and explained the Chosen Ones and the Sword of Light. Emilia chose to stay at the Belinder estate, where she could face the attention her sword-drawing had attracted alongside Shade and the others.

• Miss Benanis mistook Shade for an illusion, then discovered that Miss Sylvia had found a young unicorn at Bella's estate, which ran to greet Emilia.
• Shade tested Emilia with Doctor Schneider's medicine and confirmed that the Crow tattoo had disappeared, ending her confinement.
• Shade recounted how Doctor Schneider swallowed the Misfortune Demon and praised Emilia's role in banishing it, then gave her Doctor Schneider's Red Glass Bead as a memento.
• Shade explained the Murmuring Chapters, the Chosen Ones, and the attention Emilia's drawing of the Sword of Light had drawn from powerful Arcanists, the church, and other factions.
• Emilia agreed to remain at the estate with Shade and learn more about the situation; Shade told her Princess Angelina was downstairs.

Shade spent the day at the manor with the newly arrived Witches and reunited Angelina with Emilia, then left for the Doctor’s clinic. The Doctor celebrated their successful hunt of the Ancient One and revealed that its power could help him reach the ninth ring before winter.

• Emilia told Shade that her clan’s records described the Witch Council, and Shade explained her companions would return to Saint Byron’s after their Academy assignment.
• Angelina reunited with Emilia and gently stroked the Little Unicorn while Dorothy and Shade left them to talk.
• Shade reviewed Moon Bay’s situation with the arriving Witches, then promised to return the next day and attend Margaret’s welcoming banquet.
• Dorothy stayed at the manor with Angelina, while Shade returned home, took Little Mia to dinner, and went to the Doctor’s clinic.
• The Doctor told Shade their hunt had gone better than expected and said he planned to use his gains to advance to the ninth ring before winter.
• The Doctor gave Shade the Demon remains, six coins, and several gemstones as his share of the hunt’s spoils.

Shade and the Doctor discussed the Sword of Light, its powers, and the Doctor’s confidence that Shade would stop him if he ever lost control. The Doctor looked ahead to the group’s future journey to Saint Byrens Comprehensive College and urged Shade to keep everyone together.

• The Doctor gave Shade the coins and gemstones recovered from Pharnalius and offered to help locate its nest in Moon Bay.
• Shade asked the Doctor what he knew about the Sword of Light, and the Doctor explained its cost, different forms, and possible connection to the Moonbeam Greatsword.
• Shade told the Doctor about the succubi at an Earl’s manor, and the Doctor offered to help with dangers in Moon Bay if needed.
• Shade asked whether consuming demons could make the Doctor lose control, and the Doctor said Shade was his safeguard and should kill him if that ever happened.
• The Doctor described his hope that their group would travel together to Saint Byrens Comprehensive College and asked Shade not to let anyone go.

Shade returned home to find Miss Danist waiting to question him about Emilia drawing the Sword of Light. After explaining the sword’s effects and Emilia’s experience, he asked whether the rituals for Moonbeam Greatsword and Sunlight Greatsword could reveal how to draw it.

• Shade arrived home and learned that Miss Danist had come in person and was waiting upstairs.
• Miss Danist asked Shade for a detailed account of Emilia drawing the Sword of Light during the operation at Belinder Big Ben.
• Shade described the sword’s Space Locking, its enhancement of the Night Watchman’s abilities, and Emilia’s exhaustion and recovery afterward.
• Miss Danist said Emilia’s perception of the Demon stopping time likely came from her High Elf nature, not the sword.
• Shade asked whether the rituals for Moonbeam Greatsword and Sunlight Greatsword could help uncover the Sword of Light’s drawing ritual.

After Miss Danist left, Shade reunited with the women at home and discussed the Moon Bay Incident, the Sword of Light, and the relic coins recovered from the Demon. The evening ended with Luvia, Leisha, and Miss Galina insisting that they study together for their upcoming exams.

• Miss Danist arranged for Emilia and the Unicorn to remain with Shade until the Moon Bay Incident ended, then left after reminding Shade and Luvia about next week's exam.
• Shade told Leisha, Luvia, and Miss Galina that Tifa and the others had reached Moon Bay safely, Angelina was staying with Emilia, and Emilia had been unable to reproduce the Sword of Light.
• Shade showed the group five relic coins, and Luvia, Miss Galina, and Leisha identified the Pirate's Blood Money, the Coin of Wisdom, and the King's Egg.
• Luvia declined to perform a divination until Shade found the third dragon scale and brought back the incomplete rune it revealed.
• Luvia, Leisha, and Miss Galina invited Shade to review for their upcoming exams together, and he agreed.

Shade used the Time Key to travel to the summer of 4260 in the East Continent’s Gravel Gold Sand Sea, where he was tasked with searching for the Oasis Heart and witnessing three illusions with the Mist Lady. He found himself trapped in a blazing desert where spells that created water or lowered the temperature could not work.

• Shade left Mia at home and entered the Time Corridor using the Time Key.
• The Father of Infinite Tree sent Shade to the Gravel Gold Sand Sea in 4260 for a forty-minute search for the Oasis Heart.
• Shade learned that he would witness three sand-sea illusions with the Mist Lady and could earn information about the Holy White Chapel and the Truth Crystal Thaumaturgy.
• Shade emerged from the White Fog into a scorching desert and struggled against the intense heat.
• Shade’s attempts to use ice magic and summon snow failed because the desert’s environmental rules prohibited cooling powers and water creation.

Shade crossed a perilous desert and found shelter in a ruined Temple, where he met four women on the same quest for the Oasis Heart. After Yadlin Sianuode recognized Tree Father’s blessing on him, Shade joined the stranded group and learned their identities.

• Shade endured the strange sand sea’s deadly heat and used magic to reach a ruined Temple where four women sheltered from the sun.
• Liya Sandel and the other women questioned Shade, but a blessing let them understand what he said.
• Yadlin Sianuode sensed Tree Father’s blessing on Shade and introduced herself as an elf seeking the Oasis Heart for Saint Byron’s protection of her clan.
• Shade introduced himself and greeted Yadlin in Ancient Elvish, after which she vouched for him to the others.
• Liya Sandel identified herself as a mermaid seeking the Oasis Heart as a birthday gift for her father and asked Shade to tell her the mermaid fairy tale he mentioned.

Shade met four survivors trapped in a desert where exposure to extreme heat, cold, and lack of water could kill them, and learned they were searching for the Oasis Heart. At the chapter’s end, he discovered their shelter was an ancient Sun God temple, sensed a Miracle at its altar, and climbed onto it.

• Shade met Grandma Sianode, Ms. Sandel, Ms. Meister, and Shelly Knight, who each explained why they had come to the desert in search of the Oasis Heart.
• Shade shared food and water, and the women described how they had arrived separately and survived by sheltering in the ruined temple.
• Grandma Sianode and the others explained that dangerous, unpredictable days and nights kept them trapped, and that their thirteen explorations had found no safer shelter or way out.
• Shelly Knight identified the ruined building as a temple of the ancient Sun God, the Supreme Sun Binder, and Grandma Sianode confirmed the altar’s patterns.
• Shade touched the altar in the sunlight, sensed a Miracle, and received an enhancement to his Thaumaturgy, "Praise the Sun."
• Shade asked whether climbing onto the altar would count as Blasphemy, then transformed into butterflies and reappeared atop it.

Shade received a temporary blessing from the Sun that let him travel through the desert, then set out with Ms. Meister, who revealed herself as the God of Mist. She said the desert mirages were connected to Oasis Heart and told Shade to help the others, promising he would see the mirages with her.

• Shade praised the Sun at the altar and received a temporary blessing that let him endure direct sunlight and recover spirit and stamina more quickly.
• Ms. Meister proposed that she and Shade explore nearby Temple ruins, while Grandma Sianode and the Mermaid Girls prepared relics to withstand the Sun.
• Shade and Ms. Meister left the Temple, and Grandma Sianode agreed to follow later by instinct rather than use a clock or count down.
• Once they were away from the Temple, Shade greeted Ms. Meister as the God of Mist, who confirmed her identity and said the other women were real mortals.
• The God of Mist told Shade that the mirages were connected to Oasis Heart and urged him to help the others so they could witness the mirages together.

Shade traveled through the desert with the God of Mist, tested a Dragon-Tongue Spellcraft that created a Sunlight Greatsword, and reached the ruins where they searched for buried clues. The chapter left Shade uncovering a stone slab and preparing to investigate another object hidden in an earth wall.

• Shade explained that he sought the Oasis Heart, wanted to study the desert's strange light, and planned to test his recorded Dragon-Tongue Spellcraft.
• Shade used Dragon Roar beneath the Sun to create a Sunlight Greatsword, then compared it with his Moonbeam Greatsword.
• The God of Mist explained that Shade had echoed a trace of the Ancient Dragon God's voice and suggested his strength had allowed the spellcraft to work.
• Shade followed the God of Mist to the desert ruins and uncovered a buried stone slab, which he turned into a toy for later study.
• The God of Mist led Shade to an earth wall and pointed out something hidden inside near the sand's surface; Shade began casting Turn Stone to Mud.

Shade and Ms. Meister explored the ruins and found a strange piece of black metal before returning through the scorching desert with Grandma Sianode. Their journey ended when they discovered a vast pit filled with the bones of elves who had died in terror.

• Shade found a piece of black metal in a buried chest that Toy Making could not turn into a toy, then left the ruins with Ms. Meister.
• As the desert heat wore him down, Ms. Meister warned Shade against letting his thoughts run wild and promised him a gift if he avoided asking for help before finding the Oasis Heart.
• Grandma Sianode met Shade and Ms. Meister and eased Shade's heatstroke-like symptoms with green energy.
• Shade accidentally looked at the blazing Sun and temporarily went blind, so Ms. Meister supported him until his sight returned.
• The group found elven skeletons scattered across the sand, then discovered a nearby pit nearly filled with more elven bones.