Ruins of the Nether Empire

"What does that entry ticket mean?" Ryan, having sorted out the logic of the situation, asked about the point he cared about most.

"You are so clever, why not think about it? What kind of thing would require a Nether Scroll as an entry ticket?" The old mage raised his white eyebrows, feigning mystery.

"Nether Scroll, Nether... wait, could it be something related to the Netheril Empire?" Ryan reacted in an instant, immediately thinking of that ancient and powerful magical empire that dared to contend with the gods and stand on equal footing with them.

"Correct, it seems you are indeed very intelligent." Alexander looked at Ryan with gratification and continued to explain: "Some time ago, a team of adventurers exploring the Sword Mountains encountered strange magical constructs. They followed the tracks and found a peculiar ruin, suspected to be a remnant of the Netheril Empire. After failing to find an entrance, they came to Waterdeep to search for records."

"After the Mages Guild received the news, we immediately sealed off the site and stopped the spread of information. However, because many people were involved, the news eventually leaked to the Zhentarim, which led to everything that followed."

"So the Nether Scroll is used to open the ruins?" Ryan slowly grasped the situation, finally understanding how the treacherous and turbulent undercurrents in Waterdeep had come to be.

"Exactly. After much verification and research, we have confirmed that the ruins in the Sword Mountains are indeed a legacy of the Netheril Empire."

"Furthermore, this ruin was not created by just anyone; otherwise, it wouldn't require a Nether Scroll as a key." At this, Alexander paused, seemingly lost in remembrance.

"Master Alexander, whose handiwork is this ruin, exactly?" Ryan was filled with curiosity, eager to know the person so highly regarded by the legend before him.

Alexander did not answer Ryan's question immediately; instead, he picked up his staff and began to cast a spell. After a series of movements, he let out a breath and continued: "Just listen to what I am about to say, and do not tell anyone else."

"At the height of Netheril, the magical empire was filled with geniuses and brilliant minds, yet some people's brilliance shone even brighter among the sea of stars."

"Back then, there was a legendary master who was obsessed with the power of steel and the infinite possibilities of biology, attempting to combine the two."

"He spent his days immersed in the improvement of Iron Golems, Adamantine Golems, and all sorts of other constructs, trying to create a unique, omnipotent construct. At the same time, he was proficient in biological construction and living modification, attempting to create new races and exclusive familiars through artificial alteration and chemical control."

"Even more astonishingly, he tried to imbue machines with mature minds through artificial souls. This act pried into the domain of the gods and was intolerable to them."

"Did he succeed?" Ryan asked, full of curiosity.

"Don't interrupt!" The old mage twitched his beard at Ryan and continued, immersed in his own memories: "His research was viewed as heresy by the mainstream mages of the time and received little attention. Yet, he ignored the outside criticism and focused solely on his work."

"It wasn't until the great battle that saw the fall of the magical empire, when his disciples deployed his creations on the battlefield—creations known as 'Gundam' and 'Unit-01'—that they shone brilliantly, sweeping all before them and achieving great military feats. Only then did people realize his talent and genius."

"Unfortunately, it was too late. When the mages went to find him, they found his wizard tower already empty. Some say that because he was unappreciated in Faerûn, he left the Prime Material Plane for the Astral Plane to pursue his dreams; others say he suffered divine punishment and died in some forgotten corner."

"It is just a pity that such a genius mage passed like a shooting star, disappearing completely from the world of Faerûn."

The old mage, lost in his reflections on life, did not notice the incredibly expressive look on Ryan's face. At this moment, the corners of Ryan's eyes were twitching, and his heart was filled with shock.

Big boss is amazing, big boss is legendary, I bow to the big boss! Ryan cheered internally for this predecessor who had built Gundams and Unit-01 in another world.

"Is the ruin located in the Sword Mountains left behind by this master?" Ryan seemed to have guessed the development of events. Facing the remnants of the magical empire, the major factions of Waterdeep would definitely fight tooth and nail over it—the Zhentarim, the Harpers, adventurers, and the Mages Guild; it would be a complete mess. Ryan made up his mind not to touch this muddy water. He had already received the benefits of his mission, and once he went back to organize the knowledge he had gained from the Nether Scroll, he would definitely be able to level up again.

"Yes, that legendary mage's floating city was near Waterdeep. To this day, some of his works remain in the city, such as the magic-addicted goblins in the sewers and that mad mage staying in the underground space." Speaking of this, Alexander felt a bit awkward; he certainly wouldn't tell Ryan that he had once suffered a setback at the hands of the Mad Mage.

"Wait, aren't those just street legends of Waterdeep?" Ryan asked in confusion, feeling that the inside story behind the legends he heard in his childhood was simply unbearable to look at.

"Child, you are still too young. You must know that the truth is often hidden in jest and buried beneath the deep waters." The white-haired old mage looked at Ryan meaningfully and warned him.

"Why not just open the ruins and go in to find this predecessor's legacy? Time is of the essence; wouldn't staying in a stalemate give other factions time to react? Logically, the big shots of the Mages Guild should be able to do this, right?" Ryan decisively found the blind spot.

"That mage had a hobby: he loved to teach. Whether it was stupid goblins, ogres, or rare dryads and sprites, he taught them all without discrimination."

"Therefore, in the ruins he left behind, he set it so that only young people below the level of a high mage can enter to receive his inheritance. If one tries to enter by force, all the inheritance and information in the ruins will self-destruct." Alexander explained with a smile, looking like a man who thought the youth was still too young.

"If that's the case, why haven't I seen any records of this in any books? Logically, such a big shot should have students everywhere and be recorded in various biographies and legends." Ryan searched through the Faerûn character database in his system and couldn't find a single legendary figure that matched these characteristics, so he asked in confusion.

"Cough, cough. This master's teaching methods were somewhat unique. I once spoke with a few of his students, and their expressions changed drastically whenever they talked about him, and they were unwilling to continue the conversation. I suppose there were some taboos involved, which is why they didn't mention him."

"Furthermore, his experimental content was too taboo. The gods have blocked information about him and destroyed all his creations, so in Faerûn, no one knows him except for us old folks."

"That is why we attach such importance to the appearance of his ruins this time. We spared no cost to block all information channels and sent out most of the guild's strength. Your master even contributed the Nether Scroll she cherished." After saying this, Alexander looked at the handsome young mage in front of him with a smile, saying nothing more.

"I understand. So I've been 'arranged' again, haven't I?" Ryan gave a helpless, bitter smile.

"Hahaha, you can choose companions to enter with you. You are not the only group entering; the young generation of the Mages Guild will also be going in together. How much you can gain depends on your own abilities."

"By the way, may I ask the name of this mage?" Ryan finally couldn't suppress his inner curiosity and asked President Alexander about this big shot who was suspected to be a fellow transmigrator.

"His name is Adam Morgoth, a powerful and wise mage." The old mage sighed, reciting the name with no small amount of admiration.

Ryan whispered the name, which seemed to possess magic, his eyes unfocused as he yearned for the unparalleled brilliance of that legendary figure.