Recaps

After Fran defeated the Church Warriors and Bishop Gillian, Orc chieftain Stanley stepped forward to confront her. He dismissed her warning about the prepared boundary and crossed it as a strange red light and spell energy appeared around him.

• Benedict realized Fran’s strength had upended his plans and warned Stanley to be careful and not kill her.
• Stanley assured Benedict he would only break Fran’s legs, then removed the coverings from his arm and approached her.
• Fran warned Stanley that stepping into a mage’s prepared area could overturn his assumptions, but he refused to believe her.
• Stanley crossed the boundary without guarding against Fran’s First Order spell, just as red light flashed beneath her robe and spell energy surged around him.

Fran’s defense melted Stanley and the stone tiles, and Gillian ordered the Church to capture her for ransom. As Gillian prepared a Collective Prayer, the Battle Mage Corps arrived in flying vehicles.

• Fran restored the melted tiles and Stanley’s body, and Benedict ordered the orcs to retrieve the corpse.
• Benedict decided to side with Parkerick’s mercenaries, find the Azure Box, and fulfill the tribe’s contract so they could return home.
• Gillian recognized Fran’s powerful Spell Ring and ordered the Church’s forces to capture her for ransom.
• Gillian prepared to use the Church’s Collective Prayer, but flying vehicles appeared in the sky.
• Fran recognized the approaching vehicles as the Battle Mage Corps arriving from The Alliance.

A Battle Mage Corps flying unit attacked the crowd around the castle with a powerful [Blizzard], while Gillian’s followers raised a shield to protect themselves. The mages ended the spell and landed at the castle entrance, where Zane saw that Fran was safe and prepared to search for the azure box.

• Gillian ordered the Goddess of Ocean Currents' followers to raise their shields as the approaching flying unit drew near, while Parkerick fled and Benedict gathered the orcs by the shield.
• Zane ordered the Battle Mage Corps flying unit to cast a collective [Blizzard] on the people surrounding the castle.
• The blizzard froze people outside the shield and battered the orcs, while Gillian struggled to maintain protection for her followers.
• Zane ended the blizzard when it reached its planned duration and ordered the flying unit to gather at the castle entrance.
• The Battle Mages landed and activated their magical devices; Zane saw Fran unharmed inside the partly damaged castle and concluded the azure box might still be there.

Fran and the arriving mages secured the deep-blue box and prepared to return to the Northern Lands Society. Before leaving, Fran invited Anna to come with her and had Blake lead her to the monsters she had requested.

• Anna brought the deep-blue box to Zane’s mages, who inspected it and confirmed it matched their target.
• Zane asked Fran to return with the mages, and Fran requested an hour to handle something before leaving.
• Fran invited Anna to join her at the Northern Lands Society, and Anna accepted.
• Fran asked Blake to take her to the monsters he had found.
• An hour later, Blake watched the mages fly away and wondered why Fran had asked him to catch monsters that she then killed.

After the Snow Bear City conflict, Gillian led the Church of the Goddess of Ocean Currents back toward White Dragon Port while the surviving beastmen and mercenaries left the city. Fran returned to the Northern Lands Society, where Iris was reading a booklet explaining Fran’s paper on mathematical analysis.

• Gillian decided not to challenge The Alliance over the box and led her believers back to White Dragon Port as the beastmen and mercenaries withdrew from Snow Bear City.
• Fran and Anna rode back in a flying vehicle, and Anna became violently airsick while Fran avoided getting sick.
• Fran arranged for Zane to help Anna find lodging and gain permission to enter the city, then returned to the Northern Lands Society.
• Dylan told Fran that Iris wanted to see her, so Fran went to the Society President’s room.
• Fran found Iris reading a booklet titled <Cornerstone of the Great Cause—An Explanation of Mathematical Analysis of Fireball>.

Iris questioned Fran about her mathematical approach to spell research and warned her that the head of the Transmutation School had taken an interest in her paper. Fran realized Iris doubted the method’s usefulness, but Iris left her free to continue and advised her to protect her identity.

• Iris asked Fran whether her mathematical method could refine Aether, then argued that mathematics was impractical for analyzing complex spells.
• Fran understood that Iris disapproved of her research and was urging her to pursue a different field.
• Iris recalled that Vernon had recommended Fran’s paper and had joined forces with Iris and Harbos, possibly because the research touched on the Alchemy School’s obscure mathematical studies.
• Iris realized Fran knew nothing about Aether, the substance theorized by a long-dead Fifth Order mage and pursued by some Alchemy School mathematicians.
• Iris warned Fran that Vernon, the head of the Transmutation School, had taken an interest in her paper and advised her to spend the account’s Contribution Points and open a new account.

Fran thanked Iris for warning her that the Transmutation School head was targeting her research, then went to the mage tower to buy a paper explaining advancement to a Second Order profession. She learned the general traits of Second Order professionals and the requirements for becoming an Elite Mage, while wondering whether her Panel's Sunflame Knight profession followed rules unlike those of the continent.

• Iris warned Fran that the head of the Transmutation School had recognized the value of her paper and advised her to stay discreet, then offered to find materials about Aether.
• Fran asked Iris about Aether and said she had learned mathematics from a book; Iris dismissed her and told her to return if she needed help.
• Fran checked her Mana Communication System account, saw 313 Contribution Points, and spent fifty points to read a paper about promotion to Second Order professions.
• Fran read that Third Order professionals could survive without their bodies and realized Blood of the Furnace's shaping ability might be capable of killing them, though she could not yet use it that way.
• Fran read the Elite Mage promotion requirements: proficiency in three school specialties, enough mental power to construct a spell structure, and genuine understanding of the school's spells.

Fran reviewed her options for advancing her mage Professions and decided to pursue the Elemental School route while working toward the Alchemist Profession. She planned to finish a paper on thermodynamics in alchemy, then seek Elemental spells from the Battle Mage Corps.

• Fran discovered the Arcane Mage Profession and realized she needed to create a First Order spell to qualify for it.
• Fran determined that Elemental School advancement was closest, while Forge School advancement also required her to create another First Order spell.
• Fran weighed pursuing an Alchemy School mage Profession and concluded that its benefits were less important than gaining other Professions and skills.
• Fran noted that the Northern Lands Society’s Mana Communication System gave her access to knowledge from schools she had previously been unable to study.
• Fran checked her Panel, chose to obtain the Alchemist Profession first, and planned to finish her paper on thermodynamics from an alchemical perspective.

Fran produced a profitable batch of Life Replenishment Potions using an efficient modular method and examined her new Alchemy Aura trait. After reading Iris’s paper, she learned that Miracle Alchemy could create unpredictable Wonder Items and wondered how her trait’s guaranteed success effect might apply.

• Fran made about 850 milliliters of Life Replenishment Potion, drank the excess, and calculated that the batch could be profitable.
• Fran reviewed her Alchemy proficiency and concluded that the Panel had rewarded her paper on energy conservation but not her work on the other laws of thermodynamics.
• Fran checked her Alchemist Profession’s new Alchemy Aura trait and considered why its production-focused benefits suited her better than becoming an Alchemy School mage.
• Fran searched her papers for an explanation of the trait’s guaranteed-success effect and found Iris’s paper on Miracle Alchemy.
• Fran learned that Miracle Alchemy randomly fused materials into Wonder Items, with even identical materials producing different results every time.

Fran studied Miracle Alchemy, then made a Wonder Item after thirty-five attempts and discovered it could produce Life Replenishment Potion endlessly. She named it the Infinite Blood Bottle, though the potion it produced lost its potency after ten seconds.

• Fran learned Miracle Alchemy and tested it by combining Life Replenishment Potion with a small bottle, but her first thirty-four attempts failed.
• On her thirty-fifth attempt, Fran felt her Alchemy Aura activate and produced a decorated bottle with energy like that of the Azure Box.
• Fran discovered that the attempt had consumed nearly half her mental energy and raised Miracle Alchemy to the mastered level.
• Fran realized that mastering Miracle Alchemy gave her an instinct for judging which materials were more likely to produce a Wonder Item.
• Fran inspected her Wonder Item and found it generated Life Replenishment Potion, which lost its potency ten seconds after leaving the bottle.
• Fran named the Wonder Item the Infinite Blood Bottle.

Fran realized Aether had been used as a material in the Infinite Blood Bottle, then visited the Battle Mage Corps to exchange battle credits for spells. While Nora recommended Elemental School combat spells, Fran found a Transmutation plan that could lead to the Third Order among the exchange items.

• Fran concluded that Aether had helped Miracle Alchemy create the Infinite Blood Bottle and decided to be more careful with Aether in future alchemy.
• Fran arrived at the Battle Mage Corps station and learned from Nora that mages had gathered to exchange battle credits earned during a recruitment drive for an investigation in Snow Bear Territory.
• Fran told Nora she wanted a powerful First Order fire spell, and Nora recommended several Elemental School combat spells.
• Fran entered the exchange building, checked the item booklet, and spotted the Song of the Deep Sea Sequence Transmutation Knowledge, a plan that could lead to the Third Order.

Fran discovered that the exchange catalog offered the Transmutation School’s “Song of the Deep Sea” method and spent 25,000 Contribution Points to obtain it. At the Transmutation School headquarters, Vernon learned the method had been approved for release and that the Northern Lands Society was transporting a young Deep Sea Golden Dragon to them.

• Fran checked her balance and learned she had 31,200 Contribution Points from her earlier mission reward.
• Fran exchanged 25,000 Contribution Points for the Transmutation School’s “Song of the Deep Sea” method despite Nora’s warning that she might not be able to use it.
• The exchange staff explained that obtaining the method required approval from the Transmutation School and hurried to prepare it.
• Scott told Vernon that someone at the Northern Lands Society had requested the method and that he had approved the exchange as instructed.
• Scott confirmed that the Northern Lands Society was bringing the Transmutation School a young Deep Sea Golden Dragon, then gave Vernon the judges’ opinions on Harbos’s award.

Vernon watched The Alliance’s schools remain silent after his appeal to the Northern Lands Society, while the Arcane Mage Award vote was postponed for a month. He learned that Harbos was likely to receive the Elemental School’s Master of Elements Award and that Iris was promoting a paper for the Silver Alchemy Award, leaving him puzzled by their different approaches.

• Scott told Vernon that the Arcane Mage Award judges had postponed their vote for a month and that most schools had stayed silent about Vernon’s actions.
• Vernon learned that Preston had gone to Abyss Mouth No. 3 two months earlier and had not been heard from since.
• Vernon decided to wait for the Elemental School’s decision on the Master of Elements Award before attacking its judges, and Scott reported that Harbos had won and the result would be announced next week.
• Scott told Vernon that Harbos was continuing his experiments and developing his Forge School in the City of Apprentices.
• Scott reported that Iris was promoting the paper on Refining White Star Sand for the Alchemy School’s Silver Alchemy Award, prompting Vernon to question what they were doing.

Fran examined the Song of the Deep Sea transmutation sequence and realized its stages required marine materials she could not find near the Northern Lands Society. Nora offered to take her to a Spirit Realm market next week, while Fran decided to advance to Tier Two and prepare before visiting the Spirit Realm.

• Fran opened the exchange box and read the Song of the Deep Sea sequence, which required her to implant increasingly powerful marine organs through seven stages.
• Fran considered using her Panel to meet the physical requirements for a Tier Three transmutation but worried that she could not find the required sea creatures inland.
• Nora told Fran that people traded materials in the Spirit Realm and offered to take her to a large market opening the following week.
• Fran agreed to wait for Nora's market visit and returned to her dormitory to pursue Tier Two advancement before entering the Spirit Realm.

Fran prepared to promote from First Order Elemental School mage to Second Order Elite Elemental Mage and used a precise ruler-and-compass method to draw her spell structures. Her promotion succeeded flawlessly, improving her mental strength and granting her a new trait, but her Panel also revealed an unidentified spell.

• Fran secured the house and reviewed the promotion methods before beginning her attempt to become an Elite Mage.
• Fran memorized the structures for Earth Uplift, Howling Gale, and Greater Fireball, then used mental rulers and marked points to draw them accurately.
• Fran erased her guides and poured her remaining mental strength into the centers of the three spell structures.
• Fran completed her promotion and felt her body and mental strength change.
• Fran checked her Panel and discovered that promotion had increased her spell proficiencies and granted her the Perfect Mage trait, while an unknown spell appeared among her skills.

After advancing to Second Order, Fran inspected her new Elite Mage profession, traits, and improved mental-power efficiency. She went to the Mage Tower to learn more about Elite Mages and discovered that her Fireball paper had earned her 1,345 Contribution Points.

• Fran examined her advancement changes, including increased spell proficiency and the new Multi-Element Mastery and Perfect Mage traits.
• Fran tested Perfect Mage with a White Star Sand refining device and found her mental power went about 1.1 to 1.2 times as far.
• Fran went to the Mage Tower and found her Mathematical Analysis of Fireball featured on nearly every curated edition’s cover.
• Fran discovered she had 1,345 Contribution Points, largely earned from her popular Fireball paper.
• Fran spent five Contribution Points on Unique Characteristics of Tier 2 Elite Mages.

Fran read a paper about Elite Mage advancement and learned that Elemental Conversion could help reveal the nature of her unknown bonus spell. She studied Harbos’s [Elemental Radiance] and planned to visit the Spirit Realm for materials to upgrade her weapon.

• Fran skimmed a paper on Elite Mage advancement and found that Elemental Conversion could help explain the unknown spell she had gained.
• Fran realized Harbos’s research and his Second Order spell [Elemental Radiance] could teach her Elemental Conversion.
• Fran studied [Elemental Radiance], a spell that converted nearby elements to strengthen her elemental spells and weaken her enemies’ spells.
• Fran planned to practice Harbos’s two forging spells when she found suitable materials.
• Fran decided to enter the Spirit Realm to search for reliable Second Order materials and upgrade her weapon.

Fran and Nora prepared to enter the Spirit Realm, where Fran discovered that she had arrived in her familiar body. Nora materialized beside her after Fran entered first.

• Fran explained to Nora that her changed presence came from her recent advancement and a special experiment.
• Nora led Fran through a rented house to a separate mage-safe house prepared for their trip.
• Nora explained that Spirit Crystals were the Spirit Realm’s currency and gave Fran one as an entry fee.
• Fran recited the entry incantation and entered the Spirit Realm before Nora could react.
• Fran found herself in her usual body, saw a busy settlement nearby, and watched Nora materialize beside her.

Fran explored the Emerald Market with Nora, learned how its sections and trading rules worked, and discovered the Adventurers Guild and weapon stalls. After separating from Nora to look for ways to earn Spirit Crystals, Fran encountered Una, whom she had met during the Spirit Realm advancement trial.

• Nora gave Fran a Spirit Realm Guide and explained the market’s entry fees, trading rituals, and restrictions on First Order professionals.
• Nora led Fran through the herb and potion section into the monster-materials section, where Fran resisted her Monster Hunter Profession’s urge to attack living monsters.
• Fran learned that rare-monster medals could help her advance in rank, but she lacked the Spirit Crystals to buy monsters or materials.
• Nora showed Fran the Adventurers Guild, and Fran decided to find a way to earn Spirit Crystals before using its services.
• Fran left Nora and headed toward the weapon stalls to study Spirit Realm weapons and consider selling one of her own.
• Una recognized Fran and called out to her from behind.

Fran reunited with Una in the Spirit Realm and discovered that the Lord of Radiance had helped her reach the First Order. Fran contacted the Lord through a hidden Angel Statue to discuss helping her gather believers, but the Lord’s claim that they were already friends left Fran speechless.

• Fran recognized Una, who had become a First Order Professional, and explained that her current body was her original one.
• Una led Fran through an alley and into a hidden basement where she and another believer were staying.
• Fran told the believers she had come to borrow their Divine Statue and approached it to contact the Lord of Radiance.
• The Lord of Radiance asked why Fran had not begun developing believers in the Material Realm, and Fran said she had changed her mind and wanted to discuss helping.
• The Lord of Radiance said she thought she and Fran were already friends, leaving Fran unable to respond.

Fran clarified her cooperative relationship with the Lord of Radiance and learned that the Lord’s believers were operating a black-market scheme in the Emerald Market to earn Spirit Crystals. She entered the central area and registered her shortsword for auction while preparing to join the operation.

• Fran told the Lord of Radiance that they were friends but set out their cooperative relationship, then revealed her real name and asked for Spirit Crystals.
• The Lord of Radiance admitted she had no spare Spirit Crystals and invited Fran to join the believers’ Emerald Market operation instead.
• The Lord of Radiance said Fran’s ability to enter the central area made her useful to the operation.
• Fran presented her Purple Shortsword at the appraisal station, where the appraiser praised its craftsmanship and recognized its unfamiliar rune.
• Fran registered the shortsword for auction to remain in the central area, where the Lord of Radiance intended to take Spirit Crystals stored in the Emerald Market.

Fran entered the Emerald Market's central district with a pass granted for consigning a main auction item, while the Lord of Radiance planned to use her visit to seize Spirit Crystals from the auction warehouses. Fran met Nora before the auction and revealed that the weapon she had consigned was a shortsword, leaving Nora bewildered.

• The Lord of Radiance sought Spirit Crystals to expand the Radiance Domain and planned to breach the Emerald Market's defenses while Fran entered its auction warehouse.
• Fran explored the central district and learned that her Purple Shortsword would be auctioned in three hours.
• Fran met Nora, who was surprised that Fran had obtained a pass by consigning a main auction item.
• A purple beam announced that the auction's main item was a weapon, and Nora guessed Fran had sold a staff.
• Fran said she had sold a shortsword, shocking Nora, who knew Fran was a mage.

Heather and Valerie discussed the purple shortsword’s possible Ancient Rune and the Spirit Realm Market’s safe auction rules, then decided to attend the auction. Fran recognized their Church of the Goddess of Ocean Currents robes and watched Heather with unexplained interest.

• Heather examined Fran’s purple shortsword, and Valerie explained the history of Ancient Runes and why recreating them was difficult.
• Valerie offered to bid on the shortsword and reassured Heather that the Spirit Realm Market prevented buyers from taking auction items without completing its ritual.
• Heather and Valerie left the display area to see what else was up for auction.
• Nora asked Fran where the shortsword came from, and Fran explained that she had made it herself and learned her craft from her mentor.
• Fran noticed Heather and Valerie wearing robes of the Church of the Goddess of Ocean Currents and wondered why she had encountered them in the Spirit Realm.

Fran attended the Emerald Market auction with Nora while waiting for the Lord of Radiance's operation to begin, then left for the Emerald Rockery. Heather planned to bid heavily on Fran's short sword, but an explosion plunged the auction hall into darkness.

• Fran entered the auction hall with Nora and sat in the back while they discussed why they had come.
• The auctioneer sold a Life Replenishment Potion for 360 grams of Spirit Crystals, then a mysterious Spirit Realm page to two Priests of the Church of the Goddess of Ocean Currents for 130 grams.
• Fran decided the remaining auction items were not worth waiting for and left to head toward the Emerald Rockery.
• Heather told her companion that she planned to bid at least a hundred kilograms of Spirit Crystals on Fran's short sword.
• An explosion sounded outside and plunged the auction hall into darkness.

Fran broke into Emerald Market’s restricted area, defeated its guards, and recovered her Purple Shortsword and other equipment from the storeroom. As she left the artificial hill, two Church of the Goddess of Ocean Currents priests confronted her.

• Fran waited for the Lord of Radiance to cover Emerald Market’s barrier in white light, then used spells to destroy the two enhanced statues guarding the purple door.
• Fran passed several waves of emerald guards and reached the storeroom without encountering any Second Order defenders.
• Fran recovered her undamaged Purple Shortsword and took several portable weapons and special metal materials.
• Fran left the artificial hill and encountered two priests of the Church of the Goddess of Ocean Currents who appeared ready to fight.