Thorn Ring

Deep within the quiet Emerald Forest, bare branches traced sparse outlines beneath the gray-white sky.

Suddenly, a breeze swept through, and a figure appeared before a mound of earth.

A wooden marker stood before the mound, carved with the words: Grave of Ainak Wizard Academy Headmaster Jodes.

Dago solemnly bowed three times to the mound. He had inherited all of Jodes's belongings; this was the last thing he could do for Jodes.

As for the others still at the academy, Dago could only apologize. After all, people from another world had nothing to do with him, and they were not people from his previous life.

He could not sacrifice his life for the academy.

Next, he had to consider where he would go.

On the note Selena had left in his storage ring, an address in Kletam City of the Thorn Ring was clearly marked.

He spread out the parchment map taken from Headmaster Jodes and searched it for a while before finding the Thorn Ring between Ainak Wizard Academy and Emerald Life.

The territory marked for it on the parchment map was several times larger than the academy's, encompassing five or six cities.

With a destination in mind, Dago headed into the sky and began his fourth move in this world.

The blazing sun hung high, melting away the last remnants of winter as the breath of spring leisurely approached.

A wind suddenly rose in the sky, blowing away the thick mist that filled the path before a traveler.

Behind the mist emerged the outline of an enormous floating fortress.

From afar, the floating fortress seemed to give off a green sheen beneath the sunlight.

The traveler stopped and faced the floating city. He reached up and pulled down his hood, revealing long hair streaked with black and