The mysterious diary held considerable appeal for Ryan, but he knew what his goal was right now.
He pulled out a book. Inertia and Activity of Elemental Particles would help him understand the underlying nature of the effects produced by the Fire Elemental Energy spell he cast.
Moving from a broad understanding to a grasp of the details was the prerequisite for changing the spell's usual casting method and Particle Ratio. Whether those changes strengthened the spell, weakened it, or caused it to fail depended entirely on the person making them.
Likewise, a Wizard who could do that and apply it broadly to his chosen path had the qualifications and ability to conduct independent Wizard experiments.
Once Ryan began studying, he lost track of time. When his body needed energy to sustain its cells, he went to the Automated Restaurant on Ancient Forest Mountain for high-protein food.
He worked with unwavering focus, his Feather Pen moving constantly across the scrap paper as he recorded his questions and insights.
After studying a portion of Supernatural Knowledge, he returned to those notes and worked through the questions that had troubled him.
Like a sponge, he tirelessly absorbed Supernatural Knowledge, filling the gaps in his understanding.
Harak stood on the windowsill, motionless as a statue. Her blood-red eyes narrowed, as though she thoroughly enjoyed it.
The sea breeze blowing in from the coastline rustled the trees and stirred Ryan's hair and robe.
His long, fair fingers held down the fluttering pages. The scrap paper was covered in dense writing.
The magnificent hall was lavishly decorated at every turn. Even the White Jade and gold so prized in the Mortal World were nothing more than floor tiles here.
"Hahaha! Welcome, everyone. The food at Bailin Mansion certainly won't disappoint you."
Moss's voice rang throughout the hall. White candles burned along the long dining tables, while mortal servants worked hard to carry silver plates to every Wizard Freshman present.
Tables filled the entire hall. Even though far more Wizard Freshmen had come than Moss had expected, there was room for them all.
Moss and his so-called friends from Wizard Families exchanged glances. Each could see the delight in the others' eyes.
Anna had been born into nobility and had lived in extraordinary luxury before becoming a Wizard, yet even she found this display hard to match.
The others at her table were freshmen from the same Wizard Ship. Those born to noble families managed to keep their composure, but some of the commoners and knights' descendants could not hide their astonishment.
Gold and White Jade used as floor tiles? How much labor and wealth had gone into such a splendid building?
Island Continent natives, just as I thought. They've never seen anything like this. A trace of mockery appeared in Moss's eyes. True Wizards had no use for gold or silver. The fame and fortune mortals chased were not worth a single Magic Stone to them.
Wizards kept their distance from the Mortal World partly because their own Energy Radiation could easily kill those fragile, pitiful mortals. But there was a more fundamental reason: they existed on entirely different levels, as though they belonged to two different worlds.
Moss was thoroughly pleased with everyone's reaction. In his eyes, these island natives might have the aptitude to become Wizards, but they had yet to shed their humble, timid mortal mindsets. Freshmen like them were easy to deal with.
"Come, let's celebrate our meeting. A toast to this moment."
As the center of the party, Moss carried a drink from table to table. The few Wizard Family freshmen with him approached different tables as well.
Warm light filled the hall. Glittering gems were set into the hanging lanterns.
Throughout the banquet hall, metal knives and forks clinked against silver plates as guests cut into delicious food and brought it to their mouths.
In the glow, every face was flushed and smiling, as though they had tasted happiness itself.
Anna's long red hair looked more than ever like a flame. Wine rippled in the reflection of her crimson eyes. Their glasses touched, and she pressed her red lips to the rim before swallowing, her slender throat moving.
She smiled at the handsome young man in white before her, exuding a captivating allure.
I've found my target!
Moss's gaze passed over the Wizard Freshmen at Anna's table, then the freshmen at several nearby tables. He had a good sense of the situation now.
He smiled. "Beautiful lady, might we talk about the interesting things in life? For instance, what happened aboard the Wizard Ship, and these precious friends we've only just met."
Anna's eyes shimmered, and her red lips parted. "Of course."
To mortals, Wizards were mysterious and unknown. In some cases, they were even synonymous with evil.
On some islands of the Island Continent that Wizards had yet to discover, people remained ignorant and backward, practicing Evil God worship. Some had even established states ruled in the name of gods and governed through divine authority.
When Wizards discovered islands like these, faith and Mental Will had often given rise to true Evil Gods.
Even in the gaps between the Inner World and Outer Space beyond the Wizard World, strange, twisted beings could be drawn in by it, with grave consequences. Suppressing them demanded enormous effort.
Mental Will was also the root of a Wizard's power: the lever with which they moved the material world and realized the transcendent power of the self.
Ryan now faced a question that troubled and fascinated him, one that also had something to do with Mental Will.
A black book lay open on the desk before him. On its first page was a line that summed up the entire book—or perhaps posed a question to whoever read it.
Anglie Gunkai: Wizards pursue Truth, but what is Truth?
Yes. What is Truth?
Ryan fell silent. The question raised by the author of On Wizardry seemed simple, yet held so many possible answers that Ryan did not know where to begin.
Many answers came to mind.
Was it practicing the Wizard Meditation Method and gradually gaining supernatural power?
Was it mastering more Supernatural Knowledge, understanding this world, and gaining the power to influence everything?
Was it improving and remaking myself, pursuing eternity, and achieving true immortality?
Each possibility was beautiful and genuine, and each was something Ryan did want. They sprang from the desires of life itself.
But Ryan could not use any of them to answer the question: What is Truth?
Before you continue