Chapter Summaries

Shade joined Helen and Grace for dinner before accompanying them to meet Sister Devlin, who prepared a ritual to teach him Moon's Dream. Shade entered Deep Meditation as the ritual began glowing beneath the stars.

• Helen and Grace cooked dinner with Shade and explained their fear of Sister Devlin and the Primordial Fire.
• Grace told Shade that the Fire-Bearing Sisters protected the world and that Sister Devlin had not found a suitable successor.
• Shade traveled with Helen and Grace to the Mountain Top Sacrificial Ground, where they admired the starry sky and greeted Sister Devlin.
• Sister Devlin led them to the Fire Keeper Graveyard and painted silver ritual markings on Shade's bare chest, throat, and back.
• Shade meditated at the center of the Sun, Moon, and Stars Ritual Matrix, and the markings and ground began to shine like the Silver Moon.

Shade learned the Moon's Dream thaumaturgy after Helen and Grace entered his Dream during Sister Devlin's ritual, and he woke restored after four hours of sleep. He returned to Tobesk with the Holy Grail for Sister Devlin, then reunited with Luvia at home, where he received the appraised Founding card and beckoned her to join him.

• Helen and Grace transformed into silver butterflies in Shade's Dream and guided him toward the Moon, where he fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
• Shade woke with his spirit and stamina restored, learned the Moon's Dream thaumaturgy, and discovered Sister Devlin had let him sleep on her lap.
• Sister Devlin told Shade the Red Butterfly Twins had left and accepted the Holy Grail of Conservation for Snake Heart Hospital.
• Shade returned to Tobesk and found Luvia working late on a Star Chart; she gave him the appraised Founding card.
• After making tea for Luvia, Shade went to bed, then used a red butterfly to draw her to his bedroom when she returned at three in the morning.

After recovering from the Battle of Randall River Valley, Shade discussed the Chosen Ones and his plans with Luvia and Iluna, who urged him to rest through spring. He then used the Guardians’ black stone block to install a trapdoor to the Heart of the Earth Furnace in his basement.

• Shade prepared breakfast for Luvia, and Iluna joined them at his home to discuss the Battle of Randall River Valley.
• Shade, Luvia, and Iluna reviewed the Earth’s Chosen One, agreed Luvia would manage their relationship with him, and noted Iluna had reached the seventh ring and might have been a candidate herself.
• Luvia and Iluna persuaded Shade to rest through spring before pursuing the next Chosen One, and they discussed the upcoming Around Tobesk Equestrian Competition.
• Shade showed the women the items he brought back from Randall River Valley, including the Philosopher’s Stone and the Malbas Demon Book.
• Shade tossed the Guardians’ black stone block onto the basement floor, where it melted and formed a stone trapdoor leading to the Heart of the Earth Furnace.

Shade, Luvia, and Iluna discovered the Heart of the Earth Furnace beneath Shade’s house and learned how its earth-powered smelting and tempering worked. They tested its effects, and Shade began an attempt to strengthen his Witch Detection badge with Mithril.

• Shade opened a hidden trapdoor beneath his house using his connection to the Heart of the Earth, and he, Luvia, and Iluna entered the Heart of the Earth Furnace.
• The group found a stone furnace linked to magma, and Shade explained that it could strengthen or fuse metal- and stone-based Alchemy Items by consuming their experience of traversing the earth.
• Shade explained that drinking a little magma could temper the body and soul, though it could make them lean toward earth power; he and the others drank from tiny Clay Holy Grails.
• Luvia felt the Foundation Stone power repairing her Another Me, while Shade found that the tempering had no effect on him.
• Shade placed his Witch Detection badge and a portion of Mithril into the furnace to try strengthening the badge.

Shade improved the Duchess of Saladir’s badge, spent a quiet day at home, and met Miss Danist to discuss ancient Moon-related ruins. Miss Danist revealed a link between the ruins and the Edwards Family’s abandoned town on an island in Green Lake, leaving Shade poised to learn what her discovered letter contained.

• Shade retrieved the transformed badge from the Furnace and learned that it had stronger Witch detection and could enhance energy-releasing Thaumaturgies.
• Shade learned that the Furnace could unleash any natural disaster in the Material World in exchange for divinity or a flawless Stone Heart.
• Shade gave Iluna her share of the Randall River Valley treasure, then bathed Mia and spent a peaceful afternoon at home.
• Shade visited Priest Augustus for dinner and later met Miss Danist, confirming that he had learned Miracle Technique - Moon's Dream.
• Miss Danist showed Shade a Sun, Moon, and Stars pattern found in the Black Night Spirit Temple and the ruined Ancient Moon Tower, and said it was an Ancient God’s ritual matrix.
• Miss Danist told Shade about Green Lake’s abandoned island town and said she had found a letter once owned by a member of the Edwards Family.

Shade accepted Miss Danist’s assignment to trace the descendants of the Edwards Family of Green Lake Town and received the Shadow Ball thaumaturgy as a gift for reaching the sixth ring. After investigating the family and learning an altered version of Shadow Ball, he went alone to the Maria Opera House for an evening invitation from Leisha.

• Miss Danist told Shade that the Edwards Family had pursued the Elixir of Immortality before Green Lake Town was destroyed and asked him to identify their descendants by summer.
• Shade agreed to investigate the family, while Miss Danist assigned him summer promotion examinations, weekly reading notes, and regular study meetings.
• Miss Danist gave Shade the Shadow Ball scroll and advised him to keep Moon as his main path rather than pursue shadow magic.
• Shade learned Shadow Ball, which gained a petrification effect, and accepted and completed another commission to find a Cat.
• Shade contacted Margaret, Leisha, and Miss Galina about the Edwards Family; Margaret and Miss Galina promised to investigate, while Leisha invited him to an opera.
• Shade ate dinner with the Cat, then boarded a carriage alone and arrived at the Maria Opera House for Leisha’s invitation.

Shade attended the opera with Leisha, Angelina, and Galina, whose investigation into the Edwards Family revealed that a powerful Witch had been born in Green Lake Town. The revelation left Shade facing a possible connection between his inquiry and Audrey Edwards, the Council’s Fifth Seat.

• Shade arrived at the Maria Empress Opera House and found Galina waiting in the private box with Leisha and Angelina.
• The group watched the beginning of “Clock Tower Lovers,” a fairy tale about a knight and his fiancée who were reunited in death.
• Galina interrupted the outing to ask whether Shade was investigating the Edwards Family only at Miss Danist’s request and whether he had met any strange women.
• Galina revealed that Audrey Edwards, the Eleventh Ring Great Witch of Knowledge and Wisdom and the Council’s Fifth Seat, had been born in Green Lake Town.

Shade learned about Audrey Edwards, an ancient Great Witch whose dangerous Philosopher’s Stone experiment nearly unleashed an ancient evil, and was advised to seek other Edwards Family clues before approaching her. He was also told to compete against Kasonlik twins Eric Follen and Charles Follen in the upcoming equestrian competition to protect Delarion’s position in the negotiations.

• Miss Galina told Shade that Audrey Edwards was a renowned alchemist and potion-maker whose past experiment nearly summoned an ancient evil, leading the Church to hunt her for more than a decade.
• Shade connected Audrey’s age and the Edwards Family’s history with Green Lake Town to his search for the meaning of the “Sun, Moon, and Stars” pattern.
• Miss Galina advised Shade not to approach Audrey directly and said she would help find other Edwards Family descendants.
• Miss Galina told Shade that Eric Follen and Charles Follen, twin sons of Marquis Follen, would enter the Around the City Equestrian Competition.
• Shade agreed to attend the competition opening and recognized that defeating the Follen brothers could help Delarion in its negotiations with Kasonlik.

After attending Leisha’s private celebration, Shade joined Miss Galina to investigate an uncontained relic at the Maria Empress Opera House. The theater arranged for the two leading actresses to meet him in dressing room number five, where the relic was located.

• Miss Galina said she might represent the royal family in upcoming negotiations, and Leisha told Shade she would not be sent; after her sister and aunt left, Leisha urged Shade to win the equestrian competition for her and Dorothy.
• After the opera’s successful performance, Miss Galina told Shade that an uncontained relic had appeared at the Opera House and asked him to investigate it with her.
• Miss Galina and Shade discussed the rise in relic incidents, Ring Arcanist losses of control, and natural disasters since spring 1853, which Iluna’s friends had also noticed.
• Tifa told manager Mr. Nesser that Shade wanted to meet both leading actresses in costume and makeup, and arranged for them to come to dressing room number five in secret.
• Shade, Miss Galina, and Tifa entered dressing room number five and found a shattered mirror set aside against the wall.

Shade investigated a mirror relic with Miss Galina and Tifa, then pursued the monster that emerged from it onto the Maria Opera House rooftop. As he prepared to strike, two men appeared beside the creature.

• Shade touched the mirror and discovered that speaking the Efla Language phrase “Courage walks beside me” restored it and revealed a room beyond it.
• A two-bodied monster began emerging from the mirror, and Shade used Great Sin Chains and spatial magic to fight it, but it escaped into a spatial gap.
• Shade refused Miss Galina’s offer of help and turned himself into Red Butterflies to pursue the monster to the opera house rooftop.
• Shade found the wounded monster healing beneath the starlight and prepared a surprise attack, but two men appeared out of thin air nearby.

Shade killed the monster released by Brave Man's Mirror and showed Galina his victory. Galina explained how the relic worked, and Shade received Orichalcum as its reward.

• Two identical southern Ring Arcanists arrived on the rooftop seeking the Twin Rift Abnormality's spinal bone, but Shade stepped in to fight the monster.
• Shade trapped the monster with Moonlight Rings and Space Stabilization Aura, then killed it with Moonlight Slash.
• The two Ring Arcanists paid Shade with emeralds for the monster's remains and mistook him for a High-Ring Arcanist.
• Shade returned to the dressing room and showed Galina his one-strike kill while Tifa warded the Mirror with runes.
• Galina explained that Brave Man's Mirror could release sealed monsters and reward those who defeated them, then Shade received a piece of Orichalcum from it.

Shade met two actresses at the theater and encountered Earl Lewis, a Kassenric noble who was arranging negotiations with Delarion. As Shade and Galina rode home, Shade admitted he was angry at Lewis for disrespecting him and eyeing Galina.

• Shade posed for a photograph with actresses Meli Jones and Alita Launs while Galina watched.
• Shade invited Earl Lewis into the dressing room after learning he wanted to meet the actresses.
• Earl Lewis ignored Shade’s greeting and left after arranging to meet Galina at Yodel Palace on Saturday.
• Galina told Shade that Lewis was known as a lecherous noble called “Lewd Pig Jombert.”
• Shade told Galina he was angry because Lewis had refused his handshake and seemed to desire her.

Shade discussed dealing with an Earl who had offended Galina, then spent Friday registering for the 1854 Tobesk City Around-the-City Equestrian Competition. He swore to compete in Princess Leisha Cavendish’s name, paid the fee, and left city hall with his camp assignment, looking forward to the event.

• Shade told Galina he might cause trouble for the Earl, and Galina kissed him during their carriage ride home.
• Galina stayed overnight at Shade’s house, suggested renovating it, and accepted a spare key before departing the next morning.
• Shade decided to register for the equestrian competition and discussed its dangers and rumored changes with other competitors while waiting at city hall.
• Shade signed the competition’s risk acknowledgment and swore in Princess Leisha Cavendish’s name to uphold the knightly virtues and claim victory.
• Shade paid the twenty-pound registration fee, had his measurements taken for formal clothes, and received a map to his competition camp.

Shade arranged for Old John to make a handkerchief from Eris Wool and learned that two dangerous Angel Level Humanoid Relics had appeared in Tobesk. He prepared for the upcoming competition, then attended the Study Group’s Academy background interviews, where Luvia’s questioning lasted unusually long.

• Shade asked Old John to make a handkerchief from Eris Wool and said he intended to win the competition.
• Old John warned Shade that two Angel Level Humanoid Relics were in Tobesk, including the Faceless Man, which killed people who encountered information about its missing younger brother.
• Shade decided to compete using his own golden armor and an ordinary horse rather than borrowing special equipment.
• Shade went to Doctor Schneider’s clinic with Mia for the Academy’s background interviews and learned that the interviewers were Ring Arcanists.
• Luvia’s interview lasted fifty minutes, and Shade’s turn came near four in the afternoon.

Shade underwent a second Academy background check, confirming that records of his past were consistent despite no one having seen him before Sparrow took him in. He reported on his companions and connections, then faced a question about whether he had been intimate with Duchess Galina Cavendish.

• Shade listened as the professors confirmed that the Academy’s investigation found his background consistent, though no witness could verify his life before Sparrow took him in.
• Shade confirmed the recorded account of his past and explained that Luvia’s divination indicated his relatives and former hometown were gone.
• Shade reported on Bill Schneider, Latt Augustus Priest, Luvia Annette, and Dorothy Louisa, including his romantic relationships with Luvia and Dorothy.
• Shade described his connection to Miss Mia San Goode and mentioned the Black Raven Library and Dorothy’s introduction to Princess Leisha Cavendish.
• Professor Andore asked Shade whether he had been intimate with Duchess Galina Cavendish.

The Academy questioned Shade and his group about suspected Sorceresses, then warned them that two humanoid Relics had appeared in Tobesk, including the dangerous Faceless Man and a mysterious Destiny-related Relic. After the meeting, Shade recruited Doctor Schneider’s help with the Around the City Equestrian Competition and reassured Dorothy that their Saturday dates would continue despite his growing power.

• Shade told Professor Andore that he was close to Duchess Galina and denied that her maids seemed suspicious, helping clear them of suspicion.
• Professor Andore informed Shade’s group that two humanoid Relics had appeared in Tobesk: a mysterious Destiny-related Relic called If and the dangerous Faceless Man, whom the Academy warned them not to confront.
• Luvia said the investigators had questioned her about the Order of the Forgotten and its connection to her Words of Sublimation.
• Doctor Schneider gave Shade a stone souvenir from Randall River Valley, and Shade asked the Doctor to help him make money through the Around the City Equestrian Competition.
• Dorothy worried that Shade’s higher Ring might change their dates, so Shade reassured her that he would keep their Saturday lessons and dates.

Shade discussed his Cinderella Mystic Lock and its possible connection to his Spacetime Spirit Rune with Dorothy, then prepared to attend the opening banquet for the Around the City Equestrian Competition. He and Dorothy left for the royal estate in his golden armor, while Mia stayed home.

• Shade explained to Dorothy how his Cinderella Mystic Lock had formed from his integrity and discussed the spirit it took to use his composite Mystic Lock.
• Dorothy suggested Shade’s Spacetime Spirit Rune might help him learn Mystic Locks, which involved constructing spaces with specific rules.
• Shade chose “Clock Tower Lovers” as the fairy tale for his next lessons with Dorothy and Leisha.
• Shade put on the golden armor Miss Goode had gifted him, and Dorothy and Miss Dur admired how well it fit and how valuable it seemed.
• Shade and Dorothy left Mia at home and traveled by carriage to the royal estate for the equestrian competition’s opening banquet.

Shade attended the royal knights' banquet with Dorothy, where King Larus III announced the rules for the 1854 Spring Around-the-City Equestrian Competition and the negotiations with Kasonlik. After learning that the champion could influence the marriage prospects of Princess Angelina, Shade declared he would win, then met Queen Diana's Kasonlik relatives, the Follen twins.

• Shade and Dorothy attended the banquet, where thirty-six competitors pledged to win honor before King Larus III and Queen Diana.
• Larus III announced that the four-day competition would include archery, horse racing, a mounted duel, and a final exhibition match between the two top scorers.
• Dorothy told Shade that negotiations with Kasonlik were progressing smoothly and were expected to begin around the middle of the next month.
• Princess Angelina told Shade that Queen Diana wanted to introduce him to relatives from Kasonlik, and Dorothy explained that a win by Duke Duhan's firstborn could affect Angelina's future.
• Shade promised that he would become champion, then went with Dorothy and Angelina to meet Mr. Eric Follen and Mr. Charles Follen, whom he had previously encountered at the opera.

At the banquet, Shade danced with Dorothy and Princess Angelina, then used a cursed handkerchief to target Earl Lewis after learning of his reputation. On the morning the equestrian competition began, Shade looked ahead to opening the Black Time Key and received new information and a mission from Gray Gloves.

• Queen Diana questioned Shade about swearing victory in Princess Leisha’s name, and Shade gave the explanation Leisha had prepared.
• Shade danced with Dorothy, then followed her advice and invited Princess Angelina to dance, reassuring her about his relationship with Galina.
• Shade perfumed a cursed handkerchief and left it in the corridor after Earl Lewis passed through, hoping to keep him from leaving Tobesk City.
• After the banquet, Shade anticipated opening the Black Time Key the following Tuesday and wondered whether he might encounter Long-Haired Luvia in the Past.
• On the first day of the Around-Tobesk Spring Equestrian Competition, Shade received new information and a mission from Gray Gloves.

Shade received a mission from Princess Margaret to seriously injure Earl Lewis and prepared to compete in the archery event at Edward III Arena. He arrived with Dorothy and Galina’s maids, while Leisha planned to give him her blessing before the competition began.

• Shade read Margaret’s letter assigning him the mission to seriously injure Earl Lewis, and Dorothy said the plan could benefit Tobesk’s negotiations with Kasonlik.
• Shade and Dorothy discussed Leisha and Dorothy staying with him, and Dorothy assured him they would always be there.
• Shade read that Hels, last year’s champion from Coldwater Port, was his main rival, then received cat food and a mission to care for Mia.
• Shade wondered whether Mia’s birthday fell that week and decided to prepare her a lavish dinner.
• Shade and Dorothy traveled to Edward III Arena, where Galina’s twelve maids, led by Tifa, arrived to help him prepare for the archery competition.