Recaps

Sylutia won her matches in Thetis Academy’s first-stage competition and advanced to the second stage with a bye. As she watched the next round, she saw Imei’s rune magic and Stuka’s construct spells defeat their opponents.

• Students discussed how Spencer Pander’s Gate of Rodri reflected years of study before Spencer faced Uriel in the second round.
• Uriel analyzed Spencer’s Gate of Rodri and dispelled it, but Spencer defeated him with Bitter Words of the Gentian.
• Sylutia defeated Imei by dodging her Shining Star attacks and binding her with threads.
• Sylutia won all five first-stage matches, earned three bottles of Memory Water, and received a bye in the second stage’s first round.
• Imei advanced with her Spell Page, and Stuka used Gold Steam construct spells to build crossbows and a cannon that defeated his opponent.

Sylutia faced Aug in the second round of the competition and studied his Gold Steam armor before answering his attacks with a Mithril Clock enchantment. The chapter left their match underway, with Sylutia’s Magnetic Sand greatsword transformed by Mithril Blossoms.

• Sylutia assessed the students and decided not to prove her abilities just because others underestimated her.
• Professor announced Sylutia’s match against Aug, a highly rated student from the Gemoxiu District.
• Aug cast Radiant Gold Armor, equipped himself with a golden greatsword, and charged Sylutia.
• Sylutia dodged Aug’s attacks and judged his speed and swordsmanship to be average.
• Sylutia formed a greatsword from Magnetic Sand and cast Mithril Blossoms, spreading silver rune patterns across its blade.

Sylutia decisively defeated Aug with an Enchantment spell, convincing the students of her combat strength. Xavier won his match against Marg using a summoned Star Octopus, then lost to Spencer while injured, leaving Spencer and Hedra to face off in the final.

• Sylutia cut through Aug's sword and armor with one strike, and Aug admitted defeat.
• The professor withdrew Sylutia from the remaining rounds and set the four other contestants to compete for the chance to face Hedra.
• Xavier summoned a Star Octopus that absorbed Marg's heat-based attacks and defeated her.
• Spencer defeated Xavier after the injuries from Marg's needles kept Xavier from summoning another creature.
• Spencer and Hedra entered the arena for the competition's final match.

Hedra defeated Spencer in their academy match after resisting his command spell, leaving him unconscious from the mental backlash. The professor declared Hedra the winner as the arena erupted in applause.

• Spencer sized up Hedra and prepared to fight, confident in his own strength and hidden trump cards.
• Hedra summoned a Sharp Feather Flying Bird, which broke through Spencer’s Gate of Rodri before shattering on impact.
• Hedra charged with her silver blade, and Spencer avoided its strike by using Black Crow Phantom Shift.
• Spencer cast Black Proclamation and commanded Hedra to submit, but her overwhelming mental strength shattered the spell’s assault and knocked him unconscious.
• The professor examined Spencer, confirmed he was temporarily unconscious, and declared Hedra the winner.
• Students in the audience applauded and repeated rumors about Hedra’s formidable will.

After winning the Freshman Tournament, Sylutia received a jar of Phantasmagoric Amethyst Candy and became the center of attention at dinner. She returned to Black Rose Palace as stories about her spread, giving her two contrasting reputations.

• The professor awarded Sylutia 108 pieces of Phantasmagoric Amethyst Candy for first place in the Freshman Tournament.
• Sylutia declined an offer of wine, ordered Iced Raspberry Sparkling Water, and inspired other students to try it until the dining hall ran out.
• Freshmen gathered around Sylutia at dinner while upperclassmen discussed the new students and their demanding years ahead.
• Sylutia returned to Black Rose Palace, set the candy beside her bed, rested, and went to bathe.
• Stories about Sylutia spread as people began calling her both the gentle Fairy of Black Rose Palace and the proud Untouchable Black Griffin.

After three months at Thetis Academy, Sylutia dealt with a growing dispute between Morges and Velik over accusations of cheating in a monthly exam. She reached the arena and persuaded Morges to follow her advice in their duel, which began as the chapter ended.

• Sylutia studied the academy’s first-year courses, including Mercury Rune, Precision Perception, Instrument Crafting, and Rules and Conduct.
• A classmate told Sylutia that Morges and Velik planned to duel after Morges accused Velik’s group of using potions and rituals to cheat in the monthly exam.
• Sylutia learned that Velik had a history of causing hard-to-heal injuries in duels and headed to the arena to keep Morges safe.
• At the arena, Morges showed off his Copper Bar Golem, Gold Spider No. 1, while Velik and his friends prepared for the duel.
• Sylutia bet that Morges would win if he finished without a scratch and promised to improve his golem if he followed her instructions.
• Morges accepted Sylutia’s advice, and the referee began the duel.

Morges defeated Velik’s team after using preparations and Sylutia’s advice to counter their Blue Salt-infused attack. Spencer learned Hedra had coached Morges and, mistaking Sylutia for the strategist, began planning to undermine her.

• Velik and his teammates planned to injure Morges during their three-on-three match without drawing the professors’ attention.
• Velik’s team used a Blue Salt potion to form a Moon Blade that cut through Morges’s Copper Bar Golem and threatened to sever his leg.
• Morges blocked the Moon Blade with a prepared Magic Orb, leaped onto the golem, and reactivated it, turning the fight against Velik’s team.
• Morges’s side defeated all three opponents, and Sylutia offered to teach him how to improve his golem using Phantom Puppet School theories.
• Spencer arrived after the match, heard that Hedra had instructed Morges, and wrongly concluded that Sylutia was behind the plan.
• Spencer decided to find a way to put Sylutia in her place.

As finals approached, Spencer struggled with the pressure to beat Hedra for first place and represent the freshmen at the Silver Bell Festival. Sylutia focused instead on advancing to third-rank mage and choosing a Core Secret Art that would help her explore more magical knowledge.

• The teachers discussed how Hedra had intensified competition between freshmen from Gemoxiu and Mirne and speculated about her mental strength after she defeated Spencer.
• Freshmen talked about the exam rewards and the honor of representing their class at the Silver Bell Festival, while Spencer overheard them and reflected on his family's expectations and his repeated failures to surpass Hedra.
• Sylutia considered the many magical systems she had yet to study and decided to advance to third rank before the Silver Bell Festival.
• Sylutia planned to ask the professor which Core Secret Art to choose, knowing that the Mithril Clock school offered different branches and specialties.

Sylutia visited her teacher to choose an advanced secret art and selected the Astronomical Clock Page despite its dangers and difficult path. After memorizing it and learning about the Clock of Four Seasons, she left to prepare for her advancement.

• Sylutia asked her teacher about advanced secret arts, and he took her to the Hall of Silver Wheels to review the Mithril Clock school's options.
• Sylutia chose the Astronomical Clock Page, and her teacher warned that its Alien Star corruption and demanding advancement path had driven other students to abandon it.
• Her teacher explained how the Astronomical Clock Page granted increasingly powerful time-related abilities and said Sylutia could meet the Exalted One if she reached the Fifth Order.
• Sylutia memorized the secret art and witnessed the Clock of Four Seasons, including how its shells, fossils, and the embedded Star shaped time and the world's laws.
• Sylutia returned the tablet and began planning the steps required for advancement, including making an Astronomical Clock, learning meditation and star-sensing techniques, and engraving a Title Page.

Sylutia calculated the cost of materials for the Astronomical Clock and sought a way to fund her advancement. After withdrawing her share of the ice cream profits, she studied the runes needed for a gem-bearing mission and successfully inscribed all four onto a ruby bearing.

• Sylutia estimated that the Astronomical Clock materials would cost at least 3,000 gold coins and counted her savings, gifts, and Frant Rose.
• Sylutia took Hutao's receipt to a bank and withdrew the 478 gold coins in her account from her share of the Fox family's ice cream profits.
• Sylutia visited the Mission Hall and found a mission offering payment for crafting 37 Third Order, Exceptional-quality clock bearings.
• Sylutia went to the library to study the Wear Resistance and Fine Lines runes, then practiced inscribing them onto gems in her laboratory.
• Sylutia completed a First Order Ruby Bearing inscribed with Mercury, Sturdiness, Wear Resistance, and Fine Lines, hoping the mission would remain available the next day.

Sylutia completed a gemstone-bearing mission at the Mission Hall, impressing the staff with six high-quality creations. She learned how workshops outsourced orders and what supplies were in demand, then remembered her class would keep her from returning the next morning.

• Sylutia showed the counter attendant three gemstone bearings she had made and was approved to take the mission.
• Sylutia processed all six rubies into bearings, producing five Exceptional-quality pieces and one Rare-quality piece.
• A staff member praised Sylutia’s work and told her the workshop might offer extra compensation for exceeding the required quality.
• Sylutia learned that alchemy workshops outsourced commissions through academy mission halls and that war supplies and World of Shadows expedition gear were in demand.
• Sylutia returned to her lodging and remembered she had class the next morning, so she could not return to the Mission Hall as planned.

Mr. Westmin increased the reward for his unclaimed enchanted blade commission, while Sylutia faced Spencer in a duel and defeated his strongest summoned opponent. She left Spencer with no doubt that she had won.

• Mr. Westmin added a piece of mithril to the reward for his Evil-Breaking Silver Blade commission, which remained unclaimed.
• Spencer challenged Sylutia to settle their Silver Bell Festival match in advance, and she agreed to duel him.
• Sylutia took flight with her Mercury Phantom Wings and cut through Spencer’s potion-enhanced Whistling Wind Wheel, then dispelled his curse.
• Spencer summoned the Heroic Spirit Knight Nilko using a white chess piece, and Sylutia fought it in the air.
• Sylutia learned Nilko’s swordsmanship, beheaded and pierced the projection, then landed and asked Spencer if she had won.

Sylutia won her duel against Spencer with overwhelming composure, then returned to academy life and improved her gem-bearing craft through Mission Hall tasks. She accepted a new challenge to forge an Evil-Breaking Silver Blade for a reward that included Mithril.

• Hedra defeated Spencer in a swordsmanship duel, and Spencer left humiliated.
• Sylutia asked Perin about recent academy news, ate dinner with her, and agreed to visit Perin's home after the exams.
• Sylutia completed gem-bearing tasks at the Mission Hall and earned 520 gold coins and a third-tier excellent-quality ruby.
• Sylutia reviewed the task board and asked to take the Evil-Breaking Silver Blade forging task.

Sylutia proved her forging skill by making a Third Order sword, then completed a Fourth Order Perfect Evil-Breaking Silver Blade for a Mission Hall task. After winning first place in her exams, she prepared for the Silver Bell Festival banquet and dance.

• Sylutia forged a Third Order: Rare Evil-Breaking Silver Blade, and an Appraiser confirmed it met the Mission Hall’s requirements.
• Sylutia completed the client’s sword with Mithril and earned a Fourth Order: Perfect rating, along with 760 gold coins, Mithril, and two Aquamarines.
• Sylutia returned to Black Rose Palace to rest, and three days later she took first place in the final exams.
• Sylutia refused her classmates’ invitations to dance with her at the Silver Bell Festival, saying she would attend but dance with no one in particular.
• Perin asked whether Sylutia had prepared a dress, and Sylutia decided she needed to arrange one for the festival.

Sylutia returned to Asura District, ordered formal clothes from Yingzi, and reunited with Hutao, who told her about the rising newcomer Luke. She left the chapter planning to explore the district the next day and see how Fire Pig and Four-Eyes had managed things.

• Sylutia heard that Luke had challenged students at dozens of schools and returned to Jacaranda to ask Yingzi for a formal outfit for the Silver Bell Festival.
• Yingzi planned a Gothic dress with Eastern details and asked Sylutia to bring her a Jacaranda branch if she ever reached the Land of the Moon.
• Sylutia visited Hutao at the Fox family's mansion, where Hutao described Luke's challenge at her school and asked Sylutia to defeat him, but Sylutia declined.
• Sylutia suggested that Hutao's family import seafood, coconuts, and tropical fruits from Meteor Lake and explained possible products such as coconut candy and drinks.
• Sylutia planned to walk around Asura District the next day and check on Fire Pig and Four-Eyes.

Sylutia returned to Pine Nut Street and found that Four-Eyes and the others had improved conditions for laborers and their children. Their discussion showed her that providing people with security earned loyalty and support, but she remained unsure how the Mage Alliance could fulfill that role and avoid turning to expansion and war.

• Sylutia inspected the laborers’ neighborhoods and found cleaner dormitories, aid and job programs for the poor, and education and care for children.
• Sylutia met with Four-Eyes, Fire Pig, and other gang members and spent half a day helping them improve their methods.
• Four-Eyes and Fire Pig explained that the gang’s support for vulnerable residents had reduced unrest, earned community backing, and improved cooperation with the Police Station.
• Four-Eyes reported that the gang’s reputation had also strengthened its rental, secondhand trading, and deal-guarantee businesses.
• Sylutia concluded that organizations gained power by providing stability and security, but saw no clear path for the Mage Alliance to do so without risking expansion and war.

Sylutia met Luke at sunset and fought him after he challenged her as the “Black Griffin” Hedra. After Luke conceded and shared why he studied magic and how he had developed his sword style, he left, and Sylutia returned to retrieve her sunhat.

• Sylutia enjoyed the view from a sightseeing tower until sunset, then found Luke waiting to challenge her as the “Black Griffin” Hedra.
• Sylutia and Luke fought, with Luke using feints and sword flashes before Sylutia caught his attack with silver threads and formed five winged birds; Luke conceded defeat.
• Sylutia learned that Luke came from a human border town in the west, where war was underway, and that he studied magic because warriors were too poor.
• Sylutia recognized that Luke had combined Mist Shadow Aspect Power techniques with the Illusionist School’s Blink Form in his swordsmanship.
• Luke gave Sylutia a Third Order: Excellent Blue Sapphire, then left; Sylutia offered to help him find a suitable weapon and retrieved her sunhat.

Sylutia tried on the gown Yingzi and Madam Grace had finished for the Silver Bell Festival and agreed to wear it despite its overly cute style. Before leaving, she reunited with Anali, gave her a sapphire, and offered advice as she prepared to depart by train.

• Yingzi and Madam Grace finished Sylutia's gown, dressed her in it, and persuaded her to wear it to the Silver Bell Festival.
• Madam Grace and Yingzi recalled how a tailoring rivalry led them to become friends.
• Sylutia packed the gown and said goodbye to Yingzi and Madam Grace.
• Sylutia met Anali at the station, heard about her studies and new orc friends, and gave her a sapphire.
• Sylutia urged Anali to think independently and build her own principles, then boarded the train and waved goodbye.

Sylutia and the Thetis Academy students traveled to the Tower of All Things for the Silver Bell Festival, where they saw the gathered delegations and received their duties as student chiefs. The festival began with a spectacular display of falling starlight.

• Nores led the academy students from the hall and used a flying magic carpet to carry them toward the Tower of All Things, while Sylutia protected the freshmen with a cage of silvery vines.
• The students entered the tower and rode a hidden floor mechanism high above the clouds to the festival venue.
• Sylutia spotted delegations from the Woodland Alliance, the Harp Flower Alliance, and the Sea Cliff Bloodkin among the assembled guests.
• Nores briefed the student chiefs on festival safety, assigned them to supervise their year groups, and gave them Magic Orbs for communication.
• Colorful Stars rose from the Cloud Sea and burst above the tower as the Silver Bell Festival officially began.

Sylutia and Spencer competed in the performance match at the ceremony, where Sylutia used silver birds and Mercury patterns to defeat him without injuring him. Spencer realized she had carved his family crest into the ground, and he thanked her as she left the plaza.

• Blue-Light Silver Fish filled the venue and performed alongside the orchestra, forming images before assembling into the Mithril Clock School crest.
• The hosts began the performance competition, and Sylutia and Spencer descended into the plaza to compete.
• Spencer used potions to boost his Command Spells, while Sylutia created silver vines and summoned silver birds.
• Sylutia's silver birds intercepted Spencer's attack, shattered his shield, and carried him safely back to the ground.
• Spencer saw that Sylutia had carved his family crest, the Gentian Flower, into the plaza and gestured his gratitude as she left.

After the Silver Bell Festival’s performances and midnight bells, Sylutia explored the exhibition halls and reunited with Aurora, who gave her an enchanted ring. Sylutia then continued to the Four Salts School’s potion display.

• Nores and the other class leaders showcased increasingly powerful magic, with Nores creating a clock tower from floating stones and overwhelming his opponent.
• After the festival’s final performance, Spencer thanked Sylutia for her help in their exhibition match, then walked away.
• The great bells rang twelve times, ending the first half of the Silver Bell Festival and opening the exhibition halls.
• Sylutia wandered through the halls and spotted Aurora at the Phantom Puppet School display; Aurora sent her a Chrome Silver ring that let them communicate mentally.
• Sylutia toured the Appraisal School’s lenses and arrived at the Four Salts School’s brightly lit potion exhibition hall.

At the Four Salts School exhibition hall, Sylutia bought the rare White Moon Potion formula, hoping to use her Silver Radiance Church inheritance to make stronger purification potions. As she continued through the exhibition, she heard that the Woodland delegation had clashed with the Mage Alliance at the Gem School and hurried there.

• Sylutia watched a Pharmacist trade a Phantom Body Potion for a Wildfire Corrosion Curse Potion and considered using Heikuis's curse to create a high-order potion.
• Sylutia found a White Moon Potion, recognized its connection to the Silver Radiance Church's lost techniques, and bought its formula for 300 gold coins.
• Sylutia toured exhibits from the Insect Chirp School, Orichalcum School, Lock and Key School, Sculpting School, and Weaving School.
• Sylutia received a Magic Orb report that the Woodland delegation had agreed to a duel at the Gem School exhibition hall and hurried toward it.

Sylutia watched a duel between Thetis Academy and the Woodland Alliance over a gemstone end in a narrow Mage victory. The encounter then brought Helis, the Fifth Order Witch of the Night Dream Tea Party, face-to-face with Nores, and she challenged him to a match.

• Nores presided over a duel to settle a dispute between Thetis Academy and the Woodland Alliance over a gemstone, and Sylutia learned that the argument had begun over who deserved to buy it.
• Shawen of the Wildfire Sect attacked a Thetis Academy mage, who countered with spells that restrained Shawen and redirected his charges.
• Shawen used his Blood Wolf Totem to break free and charge again, but the mage outlasted the boost, trapped him with the Iron Lock Flying Snake, and won.
• Helis arrived with the Woodland Alliance group, greeted Nores as an old acquaintance, and challenged him to a one-on-one match.
• Sylutia recognized Helis as the genius Witch of the Night Dream Tea Party, who had reached the Fifth Order.

Sylutia returned from the Silver Bell Festival and focused on preparing for advancement, experimenting with White Moon Potions and seeking profitable work. She accepted a musket-enchantment mission, learned three runes from Sienna, and received a flame-spouting lighter from her before beginning the commission.

• Helis tried to recruit Sylutia into the Woodland Alliance, but Nores intervened and sent Sylutia back to the festival.
• Sylutia heard Aelofis recite a poem that she interpreted as a message welcoming her back to the Woodland, then returned to Thetis Academy and rested.
• Sylutia calculated the high cost of her Astronomical Clock advancement and explored ways to earn money, then practiced making White Moon Potions.
• Sylutia bought Moonlight Grass and produced White Moon Potions she could sell, then went to the Mission Hall for an engraving musket mission.
• Sienna taught Sylutia the Locking, Explosive, and Stability runes and offered 600 gold coins and three Third Order: Rare rubies for a successful musket.
• Sienna introduced herself as Smokey Rose and gave Sylutia a lighter that emitted a pale red flame.

Sylutia completed Sienna’s Fourth Order Engraved Firearm after nearly two weeks of crafting and testing, earning a Steel Rust Gray Divine Strange Color. After the rifle passed inspection, she asked where to buy Moonlight Grass and learned about the Wind-Ti Chamber of Commerce and the continents’ trade routes.

• Sylutia studied Black Magic Copper, crafted the musket’s barrel and components, and engraved its enchantments, including a three-gem Lock-on sight.
• After repeated test-firing and adjustments, Sylutia finished the Engraved Firearm and gained twelve portions of Steel Rust Gray.
• Sylutia delivered the rifle to the Mission Hall, fell asleep while it was inspected, and awoke to a certificate rating it Fourth Order · Perfect.
• The counter attendant praised Sylutia’s work, had her complete the forms, and told her to return tomorrow afternoon to collect her payment and hand the commission to Sienna.
• Sylutia asked where she could buy Moonlight Grass, and the attendant directed her to the Wind-Ti Chamber of Commerce and explained the eastern shipping route and the continents’ arrangement.