Chapter Summaries

Hoxi Atmesia used the Favorability system to gain Parsing Points as he searched for a way to escape the Atmesia family's deadly contract before adulthood. He left knight training and headed into the forest with Bruce, while Isla's favor toward him rose after he gave her a hair tie.

• Hoxi explained to Bruce that he had to awaken his warlock talent before adulthood or Salamachis's Contract would drain his Bloodline Power in 28 days.
• Hoxi promised Bruce they would travel to Fernandez and gained more Parsing Points when Bruce's Favorability toward him increased.
• Hoxi told Isla he was quitting knight training and gave her a braided cowhide hair tie before leaving town with Bruce.
• Isla's Favorability toward Hoxi increased significantly, earning him 15 Parsing Points, while Hoxi realized that gifts could raise favorability.

He Xi and Bruce searched the forest for powerful creatures, but their confidence faltered when they encountered an enormous Earth Bear. He Xi discovered that extracting one of its entries required 520 Parsing Points, leaving them facing a dangerous choice.

• He Xi spent 10 Parsing Points to extract the Territory Scent Mark entry from Bruce.
• He Xi reassured Bruce that dogs could still learn magic, and Bruce resumed searching for powerful creatures.
• Bruce wondered who would fight if they encountered a dangerous beast, and He Xi told him to run if things went badly.
• Bruce led He Xi deeper into the forest, where they came face to face with a colossal Earth Bear.
• He Xi learned that the Earth Bear required 520 Parsing Points to extract an entry, and that helping it grow or killing it were possible ways to obtain one.

Countess Serina Nightthorn sent Jared to Plint to verify whether He Xi was alive after Jared failed to confirm that He Xi drank the Dreamweaver Spider extract. In the woods, He Xi fed the young Earth Bear Tuen and gave it Nortonholt Common Tongue, startling Tuen and its mother.

• Countess Serina Nightthorn slapped Jared twice and ordered him to go to Plint and check whether He Xi was alive.
• He Xi and Bruce encountered the young Earth Bear Tuen while its mother watched from nearby.
• He Xi fed Tuen honey-glazed rye balls, earning two Parsing Points and learning that he needed 520 for a draw.
• He Xi used 10 Parsing Points to give Tuen Nortonholt Common Tongue.
• Tuen spoke aloud, startling itself and its mother, and He Xi told the Earth Guardian that he meant no harm.

He Xi discovered that Tuen admired knights and considered teaching him knight skills, then returned with Bruce to a strangely deserted Plint Town. The chapter ended when they encountered Cyril Eagleclaw and two others in the dim street.

• Tuen learned to speak after eating dessert, and Mora welcomed He Xi and his companions to visit before disappearing into the forest.
• Bruce bragged to Tuen about his backflip, while He Xi learned Tuen would remain a juvenile for about eighty more years.
• Tuen demonstrated a powerful earth spell, then revealed that he admired knights and the stories of Roland.
• He Xi decided to seek more knight training so he could teach Tuen, then headed back toward Plint Town with Bruce.
• He Xi and Bruce found the town eerily empty, and Cyril Eagleclaw appeared with two others as they turned a street corner.

Hoxi was pulled into Cyril’s father Baron Ul’s harvest ball to support the bullying skit he had planned for Cyril and his attendants. At the manor, Baron Ul opened the celebration with a toast and then withdrew to his study after surveying the hall.

• Cyril, Ferdinand, and Otto performed Hoxi’s exaggerated “American Bullying” routine outside Eagle Claw territory, and Hoxi explained the phrase as a form of governance.
• Hoxi remembered that Baron Ul expected Cyril to perform at the harvest ball and that he had devised the skit to help Cyril make an impression.
• Cyril admitted that he and his attendants had come to fetch Hoxi, and Ferdinand and Otto dragged him toward the manor while Bruce followed.
• Cyril hoped Hoxi’s presence would divert attention from the women Baron Ul had invited to find him a fiancée.
• Baron Ul welcomed the guests at Eagle Claw Manor and toasted Plint’s harvest before withdrawing toward his study.

Baron Ul worried over Count Laurie Holt’s sudden death while Cyril prepared He Xi for the ball. At the dance, William Rick approached Isla, but He Xi arrived and claimed her as his dance partner.

• Baron Ul learned that Cyril had invited He Xi to the ball and ordered the steward to keep Cyril away from him and burn his clothes afterward.
• Baron Ul reflected on Count Laurie Holt’s suspicious death and left his study when his wife summoned him.
• Cyril and his attendants dressed He Xi in formal clothes and brought him a sword for the performance.
• William Rick approached Isla at the ball and invited her to dance while imagining seducing her.
• He Xi appeared beside Isla, offered his hand, and told William Rick that Isla was his dance partner.

Bruce tried to take revenge on William after he kicked him, while He Xi and Isla danced and drew the townspeople’s attention. William learned He Xi’s surname was Atmesia and decided he was a fallen noble with no right to compete for Isla.

• Bruce explored the ballroom, collected food scraps, and was kicked by William, who was watching Isla.
• Bruce found He Xi, and He Xi began dancing with Isla as her favorability toward him rose.
• The townspeople applauded as He Xi and Isla grew more confident in their dance.
• William overheard that He Xi’s surname was Atmesia and dismissed him as a fallen noble.
• William sprayed himself with perfume and decided He Xi had tricked Isla and was unworthy of her.

After Cyril’s bizarre dance sent the manor’s guests into laughter, He Xi and Isla left the ball together. William challenged and insulted He Xi on the road, but Isla drove him off; He Xi then asked to resume training with her, leaving Isla blushing with her arms frozen open.

• Cyril, Ferdinand, and Otto performed an eccentric dance that made the guests laugh while Baron Ul watched in fury.
• He Xi persuaded Isla to slip away from the ball, and they walked home together under the moonlight.
• William blocked He Xi and Isla, challenged He Xi to a duel, and insulted him when Isla refused to entertain him.
• Isla drew her sword to frighten William’s attendants, then took He Xi by the hand and continued down the road.
• William taunted He Xi about his curse and failing family, but He Xi calmly led Isla away.
• Isla prepared to embrace He Xi, but he apologized for giving up training and asked to train with her again, leaving her blushing.

After Isla stopped Edwin from punishing He Xi, Edwin announced that she had been accepted to Saint Veronica Knight Academy and would leave with a group from town next week. He Xi learned how professional skills related to physical attributes and became more certain that extraordinary creatures might be able to learn them, though he still did not know how.

• Isla left He Xi alone after he tentatively tried to speak with her about the previous night.
• Edwin scolded He Xi for skipping training, grabbed him, and prepared to kick him until Isla intervened.
• Edwin told Isla that Saint Veronica Knight Academy had accepted her and that she would leave next week.
• He Xi congratulated Isla and promised to visit her at the academy, while Isla worried about his prospects for survival.
• Edwin explained that professional skills depended on physical attributes, prompting He Xi to consider teaching them to extraordinary creatures.

He Xi met the dwarf Duggan on the road and guided him to Baron Ul’s estate, earning enough Parsing Points to unlock the Hill Dwarf entry. Duggan reunited with Cyril and revealed to Baron Ul that he was an Insect Mage by summoning a Wind Cicada.

• He Xi met Duggan, who was looking for his friend Cyril, and pointed him toward Baron Ul’s estate.
• He Xi offered to guide Duggan north and gained Parsing Points as Duggan’s favorability rose during their conversation.
• He Xi escorted Duggan to the estate, where Cyril hurried out to welcome his long-lost pen pal.
• Cyril introduced Duggan to Baron Ul, who doubted that the travel-worn dwarf was a mage.
• Duggan identified himself as an Insect Mage and summoned a Wind Cicada that created a miniature cyclone.

Cyril failed Duggan’s insect communication test, though Duggan promised to try again with other insects. He Xi gained the Adamantine Stomach trait and then Isla asked whether the curse William mentioned was real.

• Duggan tested Cyril’s Wisdom, found it was 10, and explained that he could proceed to a second test because he was an Insect Mage candidate.
• Cyril failed to make the cicada move through their magical link, and Baron Ul ordered him to focus on warrior training before leaving for a funeral in Holder City.
• Duggan encouraged Cyril and said he would gather other kinds of insects for another test in Plint.
• He Xi spent 20 Points to extract the Adamantine Stomach trait from the Hill Dwarf Duggan and considered how he might earn more Points.
• Isla caught up with He Xi and asked whether the curse William had mentioned was real.

He Xi asked Isla to teach his friend knightly skills as part of a secret plan to deal with his curse, then brought her to meet Tuen, an Earth Bear who admired knights. Tuen wondered whether a bear could become a knight, and Isla asked him why he admired Roland.

• He Xi avoided explaining his curse and asked Isla to teach his friend instead, insisting that it was important to him.
• Isla agreed to help, and He Xi went to fetch Bruce so they could warn Tuen and prepare their story.
• Bruce led He Xi and Isla through the woods to Tuen, whose awkward greeting startled Isla until He Xi explained that the Earth Bear was his friend.
• Tuen’s favorability toward He Xi increased after Isla introduced herself as a squire, and He Xi asked whether Tuen wanted to become a knight like Roland.
• Tuen doubted that an Earth Bear could become a knight, so Isla asked why he admired Roland, and Tuen fell silent with tears in his eyes.

Tuen recounted how his older sister Lina protected him when he was a cub, inspiring him to become a knight who could protect others. Isla began training him in the Eight Virtues and Holy Light Strike, and Tuen managed to summon a faint flicker of earthy yellow light before it vanished.

• Tuen told He Xi and Isla that Lina had shielded him from a boulder after Grack pushed him down a slope, and said he wanted to become brave enough to protect those he cared about.
• Isla agreed to teach Tuen knightly skills and explained that a knight's strength came from the conviction to protect.
• Isla instructed Tuen in the Eight Virtues of a Knight, while he mispronounced the virtues but listened with earnest focus.
• Isla skipped physical and weapons training and taught Tuen to attempt Holy Light Strike by focusing on what he wanted to protect.
• Tuen summoned a faint flicker of earthy yellow light in his paw, and Isla encouraged him to keep practicing.
• An unseen observer with amber eyes silently watched the training from deeper in the woodland.

After Isla promised to meet He Xi again at Saint Veronica, Jared ambushed He Xi and Bruce in the woods. Tuen arrived just in time to block Jared’s dagger with an Earthen Wall and unleash a fully formed Holy Light Strike.

• Isla said goodbye to He Xi and promised to see him at Saint Veronica, while Tuen still had not learned Holy Light Strike.
• He Xi saw that Isla had given him the Blush Trait, and recalled gaining the Swarm Leader trait from killing a Blood Mosquito.
• Jared emerged from hiding after Isla left and prepared to kill He Xi, but He Xi and Bruce tricked him into fleeing.
• Jared caught up with He Xi and stabbed at his throat, but an Earthen Wall blocked the dagger.
• Tuen rushed in to protect He Xi and gathered condensed white light in its paw to unleash Holy Light Strike.

He Xi and Tuen drove off Jared, and Tuen revealed that he had mastered Holy Light Strike to protect He Xi. Mora rewarded He Xi with the Earth Affinity tag and offered repayment for his help, but she could not directly resolve his family's Bloodline Contract with Salamachis.

• Tuen struck Jared with Holy Light Strike, and Jared fled in a cloud of smoke after mistaking He Xi and Bruce for far more dangerous opponents.
• He Xi thanked Tuen, learned that Tuen had secretly followed them to ensure their safety, and returned with him to Mora's cave.
• Mora praised Tuen for overcoming his cowardice, and her increased favorability gave He Xi enough Parsing Points to extract the Earth Affinity tag.
• Mora identified herself as the Stone Vein Speaker and offered He Xi repayment for helping Tuen.
• He Xi asked Mora about his family's Bloodline Contract with Salamachis, and Mora said she could not directly help because it differed from an Earth Contract.

After Mora blessed He Xi with a sturdier body, she explained that Earth Bear magic came from bloodline gifts she could not teach him. Tuen gave He Xi a pack of discarded belongings, and back at the cabin he discovered a notebook containing spell notes and complaints from an adventurer named David.

• Mora warned He Xi that Salamachis held a high rank in the demonic hierarchy, then blessed him on behalf of the Earth Bears.
• He Xi asked Mora to teach him earth magic, but she explained that her people's power was innate rather than learned through spells or Runes.
• Tuen gave He Xi a pack of items as a return gift for the honey-glazed rye balls.
• He Xi and Bruce returned to their cabin, where He Xi found a dagger, potions, and a notebook titled "Brother David's Adventure Notes."
• He Xi read David's notes about basic spells and his quarrelsome adventuring companions, including Baron, Elina, and an old dwarf.

He Xi practiced Earth Spike Technique for several days until he learned it, then poured all his magic into a cast that raised a huge stone pillar outside Plint. He and Bruce slipped away and rejoined the townspeople investigating the strange pillar, leaving them to argue over its origin.

• He Xi repeatedly practiced Earth Spike Technique, exhausting his magic before recovering through his Earth Affinity.
• After days of training, He Xi acquired Earth Spike Technique Lv.1 and gained one point of Wisdom.
• At Bruce's urging, He Xi used all his magic in a cast that raised a jagged stone pillar more than ten meters tall.
• The crash drew Plint's residents to the western outskirts, so He Xi and Bruce fled and then returned disguised among the curious crowd.
• The townspeople speculated about the pillar's origins while an old man suggested it was magic, and He Xi and Bruce eventually went home.

Cyril and Duggan investigated a huge stone pillar that had appeared in western Plint, where townspeople were digging for treasure. Duggan identified it as the result of Earth Spike Technique but was baffled by its extraordinary height.

• Cyril heard that a massive stone pillar had appeared in the western outskirts and went to investigate with Duggan.
• Cyril tried to stop the townspeople from digging around the pillar, but they refused to listen.
• Duggan summoned the Wind Cicada and used a gust of wind to drive the crowd back.
• Duggan examined the pillar and confirmed that earth magic had created it.
• Duggan explained that the pillar came from the beginner spell Earth Spike Technique, though its size far exceeded anything he had ever heard of.

Cyril and Duggan concluded that a genius earth mage had raised an Earth Spike spell to extraordinary power, while He Xi hid that he was the caster. Cyril urged He Xi to leave his dangerous hut and offered to have Duggan test him for mage talent.

• Duggan identified the pillar as the work of a genius elemental mage, and Cyril accepted that explanation for the destruction.
• He Xi reviewed his improved stats and skills before Eagle Claw guards questioned him about the pillar.
• He Xi pretended to be frightened and demanded that the guards find the culprit before his home was hit.
• Cyril sent the guards away and told He Xi that Duggan had identified the spell and suspected a rare genius earth mage.
• Cyril invited He Xi to stay at the manor and suggested that Duggan test him for mage talent.

He Xi secretly gave Cyril the Swarm Leader trait and encouraged him to try communicating with mosquitoes through a made-up blood ritual. Cyril hurried back to the manor to face his returning father, leaving his mage test—and the mosquitoes’ response—uncertain.

• He Xi learned from Cyril that Duggan’s tests had failed to find an insect with which Cyril could form a unique bond.
• He Xi suggested mosquitoes and invented a ritual involving blood and an incantation to summon them.
• He Xi secretly granted Cyril the Swarm Leader trait while encouraging him to try the ritual.
• Cyril agreed to test He Xi’s suggestion, then spotted his father’s party returning to the manor and rushed back.