Who Did He Challenge?

At one point, Dago thought he understood the deeper purpose behind the Ring of Law's combat trials. Perhaps they were meant to encourage its wizards to learn from others' "wisdom" and grow stronger. Unfortunately, few people seemed to realize that.

The problem with this world was that the smart were full of doubt, while fools were utterly certain.

Dago also saw wizards like himself who favored close combat. Most belonged to Blackroot Thorn. Their bodies were stronger than those of ordinary wizards, and some had even undergone physical modifications.

Dago realized just how crucial the Elemental Resonance Art was to wizards pursuing close combat. He understood why the partial effects of his Iceflame Blue Demon Body, revealed in his battle with Jarliden, had caused such a stir.

Much of it came down to the terrifying physical strength his body gave him.

The glowing rankings above the square changed constantly, while the occasional boom of a spell rang out overhead.

Those sounds came from the enormous, eight-eyed spider spinning a web in the sky. It had presided over the trials from the start and punished wizards who "slipped up."

The giant spider looked like an alchemical puppet, though a human soul seemed to dwell inside it. Dago heard others call it Abochild. As for its master, Dago looked up at an old, white-bearded wizard in a splendid robe and a thorn circlet.

The Third-Ring Wizard had kept his eyes closed high in the sky ever since he appeared, as though dozing. No battle below seemed capable of catching his interest.

Nearly all of Thorn Ring's leaders lived in the four towers of Kletam City. They helped the tower masters govern the Ring of Law, served as "mentors" to its wizards, and represented their respective towers.

After joining the Ring of Law,