Outside the Magic Furnace Room in White Wolf City, the Magic Array on the walls gradually brightened. As the doors opened, the Magic Furnace inside radiated a pure, mysterious light, making the old man beside it look even more out of place.
"Th-that's...?" A few Mana-Wielders of intermediate rank or higher cried out in astonishment.
Gandalf paid no attention to the Priests. Instead, he turned to Landen and reached out with his right hand, which had been resting on his staff.
"Congratulations, Landen Gallop!"
The old Mage said it out of the blue, leaving Landen unsure how to respond.
In front of such a large crowd, Landen said somewhat sheepishly, "This was actually a gift from Her Majesty Vili. I only did a little bit of work."
Landen walked toward Gandalf and reached out with both hands. He had assumed the old Mage wanted to shake his hand, but Gandalf brushed them aside. Before Landen could react, the old Mage tapped him on the forehead with his index finger.
"This is indeed a gift from Her Majesty Vili, but it's also your duty, Magic Furnace Caster Landen. Are you ready?" Gandalf stared intently at Landen, his eyes filled with nothing but expectation and reluctance. "This is an incredibly lonely and weighty path. One wrong step, and you might sink into the mire of history..."
Landen understood. Though Gandalf was only intermediate rank, his understanding of the Magic Furnace was no less than Landen's. Only someone with such understanding could say those words.
"There's nothing you can do only after you're completely ready. Whether I'm prepared or not, the time has come."
Landen's words carried a hint of ease, a measure of confidence, and a touch of helplessness.
"The Magic Web will be with you!" The old Mage nodded, said this,