Chapter Summaries

He Xi returned to Plint hoping to hear from Isla, but found no letter in his mailbox and feared she had forgotten him. As he searched his house, a familiar voice called to him from the doorway.

• The guards found William dead among the Goblin corpses and decided to claim that the mine had collapsed on him.
• He Xi chose the Reproductive Urge trait after reviewing the traits extracted from Goblins.
• He Xi and Trist returned to Plint, where He Xi went to his house to check for a letter from Isla.
• He Xi found the mailbox empty and worried that Isla had forgotten him.
• A familiar voice called to He Xi from the doorway as he searched the house for a letter.

Isla returned to visit He Xi after learning through a prophecy that his life contract had not expired, and the two reunited at his cabin. After He Xi recounted parts of his travels and fell asleep, Isla asked whether Zoya was pretty.

• Isla visited He Xi’s cabin, where he realized she had been returning to clean the room and take away her letters.
• Isla explained that a seraph had told her He Xi’s life contract had not expired after High Priestess Ji Nawei cast a prophecy spell for her.
• Isla told He Xi she had passed the assessment to become a formal knight at the Hall of Sacred Law.
• He Xi recounted several adventures from his travels, including stories about Captain Hulk, Laila, Belt, and Jasmine.
• He Xi fell asleep while Isla listened, then woke to find her still beside him.
• Isla asked He Xi whether Zoya was pretty.

After He Xi accidentally praised Zoya, he tried to reassure Isla with a compliment that raised her favorability. Isla asked when he would visit Saint Vinica, and after learning he would first study magic in Fernandez, she resolved to work hard and catch up to him.

• He Xi called Zoya beautiful, then nervously explained how human beauty differed as Isla grew embarrassed.
• He Xi's poetic comparison to golden sunlight increased Isla's favorability toward him by ten Parsing Points.
• Isla asked when He Xi would visit Saint Vinica, and he told her he planned to study spells at the Magic Academy in Fernandez in March.
• Isla put aside her disappointment and decided to work hard at the Hall of Sacred Law so she could catch up with He Xi.
• Isla noticed the pendant cord at He Xi's collar, felt displeased, and took off a silver bracelet to give him.

Isla gave He Xi a powerful protective bracelet before he and Trist traveled back to Rose Town, where He Xi took Serina’s hidden wealth. He Xi then tested the teleportation array and arrived safely at the mist-shrouded cave.

• Isla gave He Xi the Penitent's Vigil bracelet, and he accepted it after learning it could protect him in mortal danger.
• Trist warned He Xi that several women seemed to favor him, but He Xi said Isla was only a companion.
• He Xi and Trist left for Rose Town the next day and arrived at noon on the fourth day.
• He Xi disguised himself as Serina, entered the Baron’s residence, and took the Gold Shields and jewels from her hidden compartments.
• He Xi used Fivik’s teleportation array with Slag and Bruce and arrived at the cave entrance.

He Xi entered the ruins to improve Mage Armor and Magic Missile by fighting Mist Demons and other monsters. After reaching the Giant Stone, he met the blue-haired mage, who noticed his silver bracelet and asked if he had rescued his fiancée.

• He Xi checked his spell proficiencies, cast Mage Armor on Slag, and sent the Gnoll into the cave ahead of him.
• He Xi fought Mist Demons along the passage, raising Mage Armor by five proficiency points and Magic Missile by one before stopping to eat with Bruce.
• He Xi considered how quickly the ruins could help him improve his spells and gain levels, then raised Magic Missile to level 4 and gained four Wisdom.
• He Xi cleared more Mist Demons and Empty Shells before reaching the Giant Stone, where the blue-haired mage asked whether he had rescued his little fiancée.

Flora coaxed He Xi into recounting what happened in Holder City, then questioned him about the wristband Isla had given him. As an illusion of a feast vanished, He Xi confronted his feelings for Isla and Zoya and decided to understand Zoya’s feelings before considering what might come next.

• Flora tempted He Xi and Bruce with an illusory feast until He Xi agreed to tell her about Holder City.
• He Xi recounted what had happened after he left Plint, and Flora asked about the wristband on his wrist.
• He Xi said a companion from his hometown had given him the wristband, and Flora pressed him about whether she was a woman and what he thought of her.
• He Xi remembered Isla and Zoya, realized he knew the wristband’s significance, and wondered whether he was acting like a scumbag.
• Flora revealed the feast had been an illusion and warned He Xi not to let hesitation cost him real feelings.
• Bruce interrupted He Xi’s thoughts by boasting that he had many wives, and He Xi decided to understand Zoya’s feelings before considering pursuing anything further.

Zoya worried about He Xi and Annis, then caught He Xi trying to touch her while she pretended to sleep. By mid-February, Hoxi had kept up his training in Rose Town and prepared to head out, while Zoya still barred him from her room.

• Zoya wondered whether He Xi had returned safely from Mist Cave and hoped Annis had been rescued.
• He Xi came to bed beside Zoya, and she pretended to be asleep until he touched her.
• Zoya turned to confront He Xi, but he disappeared beneath the blanket, leaving her shocked.
• By mid-February, Hoxi trained daily while Ms. Cassandra prepared breakfast downstairs.
• Hoxi checked his status panel after training and got ready to leave with Bruce.

He Xi completed [Magic Missile] and became a Mage, then discovered that he could read the descriptions of the seven talents offered to him. He left off deciding which talent to choose, wondering whether to tell Fivik that he had opened them.

• He Xi visited Fivik after preparing to meet the requirements for becoming a professional mage.
• He Xi cast [Magic Missile] at three Goblins and gained the final proficiency point, triggering his Mage class advancement.
• He Xi followed the world’s summons and entered a wondrous space where seven talent lights revolved around him.
• Fivik explained that talent colors indicated rarity and advised He Xi to choose based on affinity.
• He Xi read the descriptions of all seven talents and wondered whether to ask Fivik for advice or admit that he had opened them.

He Xi weighed seven talents with Fivik’s advice and chose [Elemental Harmonizer], which reduced spell mana costs and promised powerful growth. After becoming a Mage, he headed to the Adventurer Guild eager to test his new strength.

• He Xi asked Fivik how much [Multicasting] weakened spells and learned its effects varied by the creature and its bloodline.
• He Xi ruled out [Arcane Overload], [Multicasting], and [Spell Feedback] before describing all seven talents to Fivik.
• Fivik recommended [Elemental Harmonizer] for its growth potential and ability to let He Xi cast more spells with the same mana.
• He Xi chose [Elemental Harmonizer] and thanked Fivik and Trist as his mana settled.
• He Xi checked his status panel, saw that he had become a Mage with six equipped trait slots, and headed to the Adventurer Guild to test his strength.

As Rose Town’s adventurer season began, Hai En brought a new apprentice to the guild and boasted about his standing. He recognized the newly powerful Galen, hurried away to avoid provoking him, while He Xi went to confirm his silver advancement commission.

• The Adventurer Guild filled with returning adventurers and newcomers as the weather warmed.
• Hai En lectured his young apprentice about establishing standing and pointed out other adventurers as examples.
• Hai En sensed the magic power of He Xi, used [Appraisal Spell], and learned He Xi was a level 22 mage.
• Hai En realized He Xi was the former apprentice Galen and hurried away with his student, warning him not to provoke dangerous people.
• He Xi placed his bronze badge on the counter and asked to confirm his silver advancement commission.

He Xi learned that his guild commission in Dusk City had been completed, then declined Greck’s invitation to hunt Spined Boars because he was worried about Fletcher’s disappearance. Fivik agreed to teleport with him to Stone Raven Town to search for Puck, though He Xi feared her unreliable teleportation would cause trouble again.

• Clara told He Xi that another adventurer had completed his commission to investigate abnormal magical fluctuations in Dusk City, and He Xi declined to submit a new application.
• Greck invited He Xi to help his team clear Spined Boars, but He Xi refused because he was concerned that Fletcher had not arrived as expected.
• He Xi told Fivik that Fletcher might have disappeared, and she agreed to accompany him to Stone Raven Town to search for Puck and pursue an opportunity to enter the Feywild.
• Fivik said she would teleport He Xi there despite never having visited the town, then insisted that he bring Bruce and Zoya after he questioned her technique.
• He Xi asked whether Flora would join them, and Fivik said Flora was too busy.

He Xi and his companions reached Stone Raven Town and reunited with Dorick and Brendan at their blacksmith shop. They learned Fletcher had accidentally transformed the mayor into a mouse during a banquet while trying to marry the mayor’s daughter.

• He Xi arrived safely in Stone Raven Town with Zoya, Fivik, and Bruce perched on his teacher’s head.
• He Xi found the blacksmith shop called Furnace Relics of War on Anvil Street.
• Dorick and Brendan greeted He Xi warmly and learned he had come looking for Fletcher.
• Dorick and Brendan explained that Fletcher had fallen in love with Daniela, the mayor’s daughter.
• Dorick said Fletcher’s Wild Magic had turned the mayor into a squeaking, mustached mouse during a Winter Festival banquet.

He Xi learned that Fletcher was trying to redeem himself by driving an ogre from Hama Mine, then went with his companions toward the mine. There, Fletcher and two adventurers prepared a sheep-based trap for the giant, whose snores rumbled from inside the cave.

• Dorick and Brendan told He Xi that Fletcher had accidentally turned the mayor into a rat and was now trying to win back favor by clearing an ogre from the mayor’s Resonance Stone mine.
• He Xi learned that the ogre had driven miners away from Hama Mine and that the mayor offered a title and raw Resonance Stone to anyone who chased it off.
• He Xi set out for Hama Mine after learning Fletcher and his party were attempting the job again.
• Fletcher, Glen, and Lina prepared to lure the ogre onto unstable ground with a sheep, despite their previous failed attempts.
• Fletcher heard the ogre snoring inside the mine and told the others to begin.

Glen and Lina abandoned Fletcher’s attempt to lure the One-Eyed Giant after it killed and ate the sheep. He Xi arrived to help Fletcher and entered the mine with him to try to talk the giant into leaving.

• Glen led a sheep toward the One-Eyed Giant while Fletcher and Lina followed behind, but the giant stopped and crushed the sheep with a boulder.
• Glen called off the attempt and left with Lina, while Fletcher stayed behind, regretting that he had not sought Mister Galen’s help sooner.
• He Xi arrived in a sudden crash and told Fletcher he had found him, then consulted the Personal Monster Quick Reference Manual about the One-Eyed Giant.
• He Xi said they would try to make the giant leave, and Fletcher insisted on joining him despite his fear.
• He Xi and Fletcher headed into the mine with their companions to speak with the One-Eyed Giant.

He Xi used magic to make the cyclops Gulu understand them and learned that Gulu had come to the mine because his injured son could not sleep, while someone had stolen his sheep. He Xi realized someone had likely lured Gulu away, and Gulu agreed to let He Xi accompany him home to investigate.

• He Xi summoned a stone pillar to frighten Gulu, and Fivik used a language spell so they could understand each other.
• Gulu told He Xi that his son was injured and sensitive to noise, so he had come to the mine to stop the work for a few days.
• Gulu said several sheep had disappeared while he was away, and argued with Fletcher, who said he had bought the sheep from humans.
• He Xi noted that the mine did not operate at night and suggested someone had deliberately lured Gulu away to steal his sheep.
• Gulu agreed to let He Xi accompany him home and said he was willing to be controlled by him.

He Xi investigated Gulu’s injured son, missing sheep, and jerky that had turned to stone, uncovering a strange pattern in the cave. Fivik identified it as the sacred emblem of Kranos, the god of storms and revelation.

• He Xi and his group arrived at Gulu’s mountain home, where Gulu discovered that two more sheep were missing.
• Gulu and Guma explained that Little Stone had fallen, slept poorly, and lost his appetite.
• Fletcher found that most of Gulu’s mutton jerky had turned into stone, and Gulu confirmed the missing sheep had all been milk-producing ewes.
• He Xi found a scratched eye-shaped pattern near the cave entrance, which Guma said Little Stone liked to draw.
• Fivik consulted her book and identified the pattern as Kranos’s Sacred Emblem.

He Xi discovered that the blue-skinned cyclops Gu Shi might be connected to Kranos, the God of Storms, and learned that Gu Shi longed to be struck by lightning. After healing Gu Shi, He Xi persuaded Fivik to test whether her Lightning Bolt could awaken his power.

• Gulu explained that Gu Shi was born blue during a thunderstorm, when lightning split a rock near their cave.
• He Xi gave Gu Shi a Healing Potion, and Gulu, Guma, and Gu Shi rewarded him with increased Favorability and Parsing Points.
• He Xi discovered that Gu Shi was classified as a Cyclops Thunder Caller, a different race from ordinary Cyclopes, and that extracting his traits required more points.
• He Xi stopped Gulu from leaving and asked him to find out why Gu Shi climbed mountains during storms.
• Gu Shi confirmed that he wanted lightning to strike him, and He Xi convinced Fivik to practice Lightning Bolt on him.

Fivik tested Gu Shi’s ability to absorb lightning, transforming him and earning He Xi the cyclops family’s gratitude. Back in Stone Raven Town, He Xi chose a new trait before realizing Fivik and Zoya had vanished and Dorick’s dinner was ready.

• Fivik struck Gu Shi with increasingly powerful lightning, and he absorbed seven bolts before awakening to new abilities.
• Gu Shi thanked He Xi, and Gulu and Guma knelt in gratitude before agreeing to move their family deeper into the Duskhammer Mountains.
• After the cyclops left, three Quicklings spotted them and raced after them, angry that their pranks had been interrupted.
• Fletcher rushed to the Adventurer Guild to claim his commission, then reconsidered joining He Xi’s group for Dorick’s notorious stewed lizard.
• He Xi selected the Supernatural Focus trait from the Cyclops Stormcaller, gaining four Will, and noticed Fivik and Zoya had slipped away.
• He Xi tried to sneak out when he smelled Dorick’s cooking, but Dorick called him back as dinner was ready.

He Xi was trapped into staying for dinner with Brendan and Dorick while Fivik, Zoya, and Bruce walked through Stone Raven Town. Zoya revealed that she was hurt because He Xi had called out “Isla” in his sleep, but asked Fivik not to question him and resolved to wait until he told her himself.

• He Xi tried to leave, but Brendan returned with wine and told him his companions had gone to look for Bruce, while Dorick urged him to stay for dinner.
• Fivik, Zoya, and Bruce strolled through town as Bruce sniffed out food stalls and Fivik questioned Zoya about her distance from He Xi.
• Zoya told Fivik that another girl had given He Xi a bracelet and that she had barred him from her room, but he had not explained the other woman's relationship with him.
• Zoya revealed that she had heard He Xi say “Isla” in his sleep, and Fivik panicked when she saw Zoya's tears.
• Zoya asked Fivik to pretend she knew nothing and let He Xi explain when he was ready, then worried aloud that He Xi had no delicious food.

He Xi escaped Dorick and Brendan’s nearly inedible soup and chose the Lost Judgment entry after extracting entries from the cyclops. The next morning, Fivik led He Xi, Zoya, Fletcher, and Bruce to a valley where a seasonal boundary swept over them and the group vanished.

• He Xi pretended his companions had gotten lost to escape Dorick and Brendan’s soup, and asked them to tell Fletcher to meet him at the blacksmith’s the next morning.
• He Xi selected the Lost Judgment entry, which made him more likely to trust charismatic people and follow their guidance.
• Fivik teleported He Xi, Zoya, Fletcher, and Bruce to a valley where Fletcher had played as a child.
• Fivik noticed a boundary between winter and spring and suspected Fletcher was a key or moving coordinate to the Feywild.
• The seasonal boundary surged across the group, and He Xi, Zoya, Fletcher, Bruce, and Fivik vanished from the valley.