Chapter Summaries

Vanessa Benanis performed a private, entrancing dance for Shade at the Wilde Opera House, then asked whether he could remember her forever. Shade kissed her as the curtain closed.

• Shade asked Siris what Vanessa Benanis would perform, and Siris hinted that it was a dance Vanessa had never done before.
• Shade watched Vanessa perform a seductive dance alone in Performance Hall Three and was completely captivated.
• Vanessa drew Shade onto the stage, where he danced with her under the influence of a Mystic Lock.
• After the dance, Vanessa asked Shade whether he could remember her forever, and Shade kissed her onstage.

Siris helped Vanessa recover backstage after her dance with Shade, and Golden Dawn planned a surprise for its next performances. The following morning, Shade told Luvia about the show, gave her his last Youthful Immortality Leaf, and left home to visit Old John's pawnshop while waiting for Miss Galina’s request.

• Siris fastened Vanessa’s costume and teased her about her night with Shade before proposing that Golden Dawn surprise him on its next tour.
• Shade told Luvia about Vanessa’s dance, and Luvia joked that it had suited him.
• Shade recalled that Siris had given him a Black Time Key, which he planned to open after Father of Infinite Tree’s ban expired.
• Shade gave Luvia his last Youthful Immortality Leaf, and she left to handle her work.
• Shade left Little Mia at home and headed to Old John's pawnshop while waiting for Miss Galina to contact him.

Shade collected Haila Osenfott’s framed portrait and learned from Old John that the Randall River Valley disaster had not ended the coming apocalypse. Back home, Tifa delivered Galina Cavendish’s commission: Shade had to bring five legendary treasures to the Duchess before sunset.

• Shade collected the framed portrait, and Old John told him the Hermit Order expected more disasters despite the crisis in Randall River Valley being stopped.
• Shade returned home and found Tifa waiting with an invitation to undertake a commission on Galina Cavendish’s behalf.
• Tifa told Shade to bring the King’s crown, the Fountain of Endless Wine, the Philosopher’s Stone, a Holy Grail, and his heart to the Duchess before sunset.
• Shade accepted the commission and asked Tifa for hints, promising to reward her if she helped.
• Tifa explained that Shade could make another Holy Grail with the Chosen One, might borrow the King’s crown with Princess Leisha’s help, and would need to find the other treasures himself.

Tifa commissioned Shade to find five treasures for Miss Galina and urged him to come to Galina Manor that evening. Shade obtained a golden Holy Grail by using Healing Aura to suppress the reawakening Mad Earth outside Tobesk, then prepared to return home.

• Tifa gave Shade a formal commission contract bearing the Duchess's seal and lip print, kissed him, and insisted he visit that evening.
• Shade reviewed the five requested treasures and decided to obtain the Holy Grail by revisiting the Mad Earth outside Tobesk.
• Shade found the land's madness reviving and used Earth Power - Healing Aura to purify it and form a Holy Grail.
• The undigested filth from the earth's source transformed the vessel into a powerful golden Holy Grail inscribed with a meaning associated with eternal youth.
• Shade examined the cup, decided to let Miss Galina study it, and used Leisha's Crystal Shoes to vanish from the manor grounds.

Shade completed Miss Galina’s commission by preparing the five treasures and arrived at her manor, where Tifa and the maids delayed his audience. After he proved the treasures were ready and began a hot bath, Tifa entered the bathhouse and approached him.

• Shade obtained a brass nozzle from Old John and used it to make the Endless Bottle of Fine Wine spray like a fountain.
• Shade traveled to Miss Galina’s manor, where Tifa and the maids were surprised that he had completed the commission so quickly.
• The maids made Shade present the Crown, Holy Grail, wine bottle, and Philosopher’s Stone as proof, while he reserved his heart for Miss Galina.
• Tifa and the maids sent Shade to the manor’s bathhouse to wait until four in the afternoon.
• Shade heard someone enter the bathhouse and realized Tifa was approaching him.

Shade waited at the Cavendish manor, where Tifa apologized for the staff’s mistake and kissed him before he was dressed for his audience with Duchess Galina Cavendish. He presented four of the five requested treasures and began to reveal the fifth, his burning heart, by opening his shirt.

• Tifa asked Shade not to tell Duchess Galina about the staff’s mistake, then kissed him in the bath.
• Tifa helped Shade dress and reminded him to behave properly when meeting the Duchess.
• Shade entered Galina Cavendish’s study and presented the crown, wine bottle, Holy Grail, and Philosopher’s Stone.
• When asked for the fifth treasure, Shade said he had found his burning heart and began unbuttoning his clothes.

After Shade completed Galina Cavendish’s trials by offering her his heart, she revealed that the trials had been her way of deciding whether to propose to him. Shade accepted her feelings, and the chapter ended with them alone together in her bedroom.

• Shade used Stone Heart to open his chest and offered his heart to Duke Galina, then healed the wound with thaumaturgy.
• Miss Galina sent Tifa to take Shade to the manor’s third floor, where Tifa led him into the Master Bedroom.
• Galina explained that her five trials tested Shade’s power, dreams, holiness, wealth, and feelings, and that completing them meant Destiny had permitted her proposal.
• Shade and Galina confessed that they liked each other, and Galina told him that Leisha and Luvia Annette knew about her decision.
• Shade asked Galina for her middle name, learned it was Elena, and called her Galina Elena Cavendish before they drew the bed curtains around themselves.

Galina and Leisha discussed Galina’s night with Shade and the treasures he had shown her, as well as how their new relationship might affect her identity as a Witch. Leisha invited Galina into the city to meet Luvia, who wanted to discuss Galina’s decision.

• Leisha told Galina that Luvia had summoned them after learning Shade had spent the night at Galina Manor, and Galina admitted that she and Shade had been together until midnight.
• Leisha and Galina discussed Tifa, Galina’s arrangement with Shade, and the treasures he had offered; Galina said she kept the God of Wine Bottle, the golden Holy Grail, and Shade’s heart.
• Galina explained that her relationship with Shade had not affected her Witch’s power and that they had agreed to keep it secret from other Witches.
• Leisha asked Galina to finish breakfast and accompany her into the city to meet Luvia, who wanted to discuss the matter.

Shade and Doctor Schneider visited Dawn Church to meet Bishop Morpheus after the earthquake, discussing the city’s recovery and how its disasters had been explained away. Shade then delivered a letter from a priest in the Tobesk Diocese to the bishop.

• Shade met Doctor Schneider outside Dawn Church, and the doctor advised him to cover the marks on his neck.
• As they entered the church, Shade and Doctor Schneider discussed the newspaper explanations for the earthquake’s strange phenomena and the monsters that appeared in the city.
• Bishop Morpheus interrupted their conversation and spoke with Doctor Schneider about psychology and counseling disaster survivors.
• Shade told Bishop Morpheus that he and Doctor Schneider had come to see him, then presented a letter from a priest in the Tobesk Diocese.

Shade and Doctor Schneider learned the story behind Priest Augustus and Bishop Morpheus's old Ten Pence wager over the first Randall Flower. Morpheus agreed to write Augustus a reply, and Shade asked the Doctor whether he had sought out the people connected to the Demon.

• Shade gave Bishop Morpheus a letter from Priest Augustus and asked about their old wager.
• Bishop Morpheus recalled betting Augustus over whether the first person to bring a Randall Flower to city hall had tampered with it.
• Morpheus later learned that the poor woman who received the reward had brought the wrong flower, while Augustus had presented the genuine one and persuaded city hall to give her the prize.
• Morpheus said the wager had taught them humility and compassion, then asked Shade and Doctor Schneider to carry his reply to Augustus.
• Shade and Doctor Schneider waited outside the church, where Shade asked whether the Doctor had gone looking for the people connected to the Demon.

Shade and Doctor Schneider reflected on the people and events of Randall River Valley as spring arrived, while Shade learned that Captain Woody had died and left him a letter. The chapter ended with Shade blessing the doctor, looking ahead to a busy spring in Tobesk, and learning that he had gained new power.

• Doctor Schneider told Shade that Mr. Fernandes was free of the mirror’s curse, but Captain Woody had died in the earthquake and his soul had been taken by a demon.
• Doctor Schneider shared Captain Woody’s letter, which explained more about demons and asked Shade to remember the stories of those who had died.
• Shade and Doctor Schneider discussed the people and events Shade had witnessed, and Shade said those memories would remain with him.
• Shade asked Doctor Schneider to visit Detective Sparrow Hamilton’s grave with him, then wished that their eventual parting would come as late as possible.
• Shade considered his plans for spring, waved to the elderly bishop, and heard that he had gained new power.

Shade developed a mysterious high fever as a side effect of swallowing the Origin of the Earth's Distortion, leaving him bedridden for nearly two weeks. With Luvia, Galina, Dorothy, and many friends caring for him, Shade gradually improved and neared recovery.

• After returning from Randall River Valley, Shade felt weak and dizzy but dismissed it as exhaustion and spent the night with Luvia.
• Luvia noticed Shade's worsening hoarseness and fever, and she, Galina, and Dorothy gathered at his home when his condition became severe.
• Shade remained feverish and delirious for nearly two weeks while Luvia, the maids, and many visitors cared for him.
• The Great Witches and the Guardian of the Earth determined that Shade's illness came from swallowing the Origin of the Earth's Distortion and would resolve with bed rest.
• Shade gradually became more alert, while potions from Sister Devlin and the Red Butterfly Twins helped him move closer to recovery.

Shade began recovering after fusing with the strange powers he had swallowed, while Luvia and Tifa observed his rapid physical changes and cared for him. He rejoined the household for lunch, where Dorothy told him his honorary doctorate had been awarded and collected for him.

• Luvia and Tifa discussed Shade’s rapid growth and suspected his body was evolving as his spirit and recovery improved.
• Shade woke, reassured Luvia about his decision in Randall River Valley, and promised to discuss future risks with her whenever possible.
• After breakfast and an examination, Shade rested, then woke at noon and joined Luvia, Tifa, Miss Galina, and Dorothy for lunch.
• Dorothy told Shade that his honorary degree ceremony had taken place two days earlier and that she had collected his diploma and honorary medal.

Shade shared breakfast with Dorothy, Luvia, and Miss Galina after recovering from a life-threatening illness, and they discussed his poisoning, his relationships, and the coming investigation. He stayed home to recuperate while learning that Delarion and Kasonlik had agreed to hold negotiations in two neighboring border cities.

• Dorothy said Shade's honorary degree certificate and Knight's Sword of Honor had been displayed, while the women discussed the public gossip about their relationship.
• Shade learned that Leisha had suspected Miss Galina caused his illness because of their intimacy, and the women explained that his illness had brought them closer together.
• Luvia wondered whether Shade's body turned life-threatening poisoning into a fever, but Shade's companions refused to let him test the theory.
• Luvia, Dorothy, and Miss Galina described their recent work, and Shade agreed to stay home through the weekend while he recovered.
• Miss Galina said Delarion and Kasonlik planned to negotiate in Mikella Blast Furnace City and Green Lake City, which lay close together on opposite sides of the border.

Shade recovered at home while his friends cared for him and discussed his plans to visit Mia Goode and compete in Tobesk City's Spring Around-the-City Equestrian Competition. He opened the God's Gift Box and received dangerous Misfortune Wool, while he and Luvia arranged to meet Iluna on Monday.

• Shade told Luvia he planned to visit Mia Goode, and Dorothy reminded him of his promise to compete in the Spring Around-the-City Equestrian Competition.
• Shade nearly revealed that Leisha wanted him to declare loyalty in her name, then thanked Luvia for caring for him as his friends repeatedly kicked him under the table.
• Miss Galina and Dorothy left Shade's home, leaving Shade and Luvia together before the afternoon meeting.
• With Luvia's permission, Shade opened the God's Gift Box and drew out black Eris Wool, which Luvia identified as dangerous Misfortune Wool used to make cursed Alchemy Items.
• Shade and Luvia agreed to have Iluna visit on Monday to discuss her changes and where to install the Guardians' door.

Shade’s group met to review their recent advances, a coming Academy background investigation, and the spring adventure scholarship. After the others left, Doctor Schneider privately gave Shade the Malbas Demon Book and cautioned him about studying and storing it.

• Shade and Luvia discussed delaying new adventures until spring had passed, and the group gathered to check on Shade’s recovery.
• Doctor Schneider reported that he had reached the 7th Ring, Shade and Annette the 6th, and Priest Augustus the 3rd, and announced that their spring adventure scholarship application had passed.
• Doctor Schneider warned the group that an Academy background investigation would reach their region the following week and described cases uncovered at other schools.
• The group discussed the investigation, its consequences for the Randall River Valley students, and the upcoming interviews and elective courses.
• After the meeting, Doctor Schneider gave Shade the Malbas Demon Book and advised him to study it cautiously and keep it in a silver container.

After recovering from his illness, Shade persuaded Miss Galina to take him out for dinner, where they shared a peaceful date and discussed the possibility of Doomsday. The evening ended with Galina teasing Shade beneath the table.

• Doctor Schneider reassured Shade that he was prepared for the Academy’s investigation and reminded him to complete Miss Danist’s Thaumaturgy test before the Month of Rising Winds ended.
• After Doctor Schneider left, Shade asked Miss Galina to let him go outside, and she reluctantly agreed when she saw that he had recovered.
• Shade and Miss Galina went to the Finsney and Clodia Restaurant, where Tifa had reserved the entire second-floor terrace for dinner.
• During dinner, Miss Galina worried that Speaker’s warning hinted at Doomsday, while Shade said he believed there would always be a way.
• Miss Galina teased Shade about neglecting her after their previous night together and rubbed her foot against his leg beneath the table.

Shade recovered after consuming the Distortion and Filth of the Earth's Origin and reunited with Galina, then visited Sister Devlin to ask how he could learn Moon's Dream.

• Shade explained his absence to Galina and invited her to his bed after she confirmed he had recovered.
• Shade learned that consuming the Distortion and Filth of the Earth's Origin had strengthened his body and granted him new resistances and enhanced powers.
• Leisha and Angelina visited Shade, learned that Galina had spent the night with him, and left with him after breakfast.
• Leisha reminded Shade to enter and win the Spring Around-the-City Equestrian Competition, while Shade asked the family to watch for Angelina's talent awakening.
• Shade traveled to the Sacrificial Ground, saw that Sister Devlin's eye mask had been repaired, and asked her for help learning Moon's Dream.

Shade recovered from his illness and spent the morning sparring with Sister Devlin before visiting Cassandra Auction House. Grace and Helen revealed that his blood carried an unusual, possibly nonhuman power, leaving the mystery of his origins unresolved.

• Shade practiced swordsmanship with Sister Devlin at the Sacrificial Ground and ended their sparring match by knocking her back with a greatsword.
• At lunch, Grace and Helen explained that the potion they had given Shade was brewed using their blood and other ingredients, including a ritual involving the twins.
• Grace and Helen suggested that a relic may have inaccurately identified Shade as human and asked to taste his blood.
• After tasting Shade's blood, the twins sensed a faint, cold, gentle power like stone and starlight, but could not identify its source.
• Shade told Grace and Helen about the Keeper of Secrets relic Flower Girl, who had also demanded his blood, and the twins recognized her.

Shade spent an afternoon in Tobesk with Helen and Grace, turning their outing into a detective case when a client hired him to investigate mysterious knocking in Tom Alley. They uncovered a seventeen-year-old murder and found the victim’s remains, then walked home together as evening fell.

• Shade chose to spend the afternoon with Helen and Grace in Tobesk, but a client arrived with a complaint about unexplained knocking in Tom Alley.
• Shade and the sisters investigated the alley, where a wraith appeared amid a blurred Boundary of Life and Death; Shade restrained it and used Guiding Death to learn it was seeking its missing body parts.
• Grace sent a red butterfly to follow the wraith’s separated soul, leading Shade and the sisters to the second half of the corpse in a warehouse.
• Shade reported the body to the police, and the discovery revealed that two warehouse accountants had fought seventeen years earlier, leaving one dead and dismembered.
• Shade received his commission payment, then walked with Helen and Grace to the Three Cats Inn before they returned home at twilight.