Dragun was observing Ri keenly when suddenly a massive surge of mana exploded from her body, causing a loud bang and sending chaotic gusts across the vige square. Fortunately, being a mage with a refined body, Dragun managed to stay grounded against the force of the explosion. The mist from the evil-repelling formation spread across the area and blocked his vision of Ri.


    The explosion caught not only Dragun off guard but everyone present, including Rowan and Vishirk, who were beside him and closest to the st.


    Vishirk quickly turned to Ri''s location, which was covered with mist and dust, worry written on his face.


    ''What happened? Did she survive?'' he thought with concern.


    The same thought ran through the minds of the others.


    They stared in that direction and waited for it to clear so they could see what had be of their beloved Ri.


    Rowan shared their worries, but his attention was mostly focused on the notification floating before him at that moment.


    [Your WIFE has passed the AWAKENING trial and ritual!]


    [Your WIFE has awakened sessfully]


    [Skill: Magic (FF) has been added to her status]


    [Her magic cultivation stage has been updated: current stage: APPRENTICE stage]


    [Your WIFE''s condition is returning to normal]


    His eyes widened after he read the messages, and he turned to look in Ri''s direction.


    Without wasting time, he began sprinting towards Ri.


    Vishirk immediately tried to stop him.


    "Remember what I told you just now! If you get closer you will be hurt badly, you might get possessed by demons!" Vishirk warned, trying to strike fear in Rowan''s heart to prevent him from getting close to Ri.


    Some of the people who had witnessed others copse while trying to get close also tried to warn him.


    "I will be fine," Rowan told them without looking back.


    After a short sprint, he arrived beside Ri, who was currently lying on the ground in a semi-conscious state. Her eyes were open and active, but her body appeared very numb and unresponsive at this moment.


    Dragun was standing beside her with his hands stretched over her head. His hands were glowing as he used healing magic to quickly improve Ri''s condition. Dragun gave Rowan a nod and a smile when he arrived, and Rowan did the same, his eyes mostly focused on his lovely wife.


    Ri was looking up with a somewhat lost expression when the visage of Rowan appeared through the mist; immediately, a sweet smile appeared on her face.


    Rowan returned the smile before kneeling beside her and cing her head on hisp, looking into her eyes with love and pride.


    "I seeded..." Ri whispered weakly.


    "You did, Ri. I am proud of you," Rowan said to her and caressed her face lovingly.


    Ri smiled happily.


    Still smiling, she fell asleep on Rowan''sp.


    "She is a strong woman, Rowan. She kept herself awake even though she was beyond exhausted just to share the news with you," Dragun said to Rowan.


    Rowan nodded and kept looking at Ri''s face—he was looking at his wife and the first female mage in the history of his territory. He couldn''t help but imagine the wonders she would be able to perform with her magic in the near future. He was also curious about what kind of element she had awakened!


    While Rowan and Dragun were already aware of the sessful awakening, Vishirk and the vigers weren''t.


    From their perspective, the mist and dust still hadn''t cleared, so they couldn''t see what had be of Ri.


    Slowly, a gentle breeze began to blow. The mist started to fade, and the vigers watched with hope in their eyes. As the fog lifted, they saw Rowan walking toward them, carrying the sleeping Ri in his arms. Beside him was Dragun, both of them smiling warmly.


    A hush fell over the crowd. Then, smiles spread across their faces.


    "Ri! Ri!" the vigers began to cheer, their voices filled with joy.


    They were all happy that the process was a sess and that Ri was okay.


    Everyone pped their hands and called out her name happily.


    Vishirk let out a sharp sigh of relief when he saw them. He knew at once that the process was a sess, which ddened his heart.


    Rowan and Dragun approached them, the sunlight highlighting their happy faces. Ri looked peaceful, resting safely in Rowan''s arms.


    Rowan turned to the people and announced the sessful awakening with a clear and proud voice.


    Vishirk had already exined the awakening to the people, so they understood what Rowan meant easily.


    "Yes! Our vige now has its own magician!"


    "We are blessed once again with something special; Winterseed will definitely reach great heights in the future!"


    Everyone became really happy and celebrated.


    Rowan smiled and left the vige square with Ri gently cradled in his arms.


    He didn''t earn any evolution points from the excitement of the vigers, but he wasn''t bothered.


    He gave the speech not because he wanted to farm evolution points but because that was what he really felt.


    Dragun and Vishirk went with Rowan while the other vigers dispersed slowly. Some returned to their homes while others went to spread the news happily.


    For ages, they had believed magic was a divine power that could control the impossible.


    The arrival of Dragun first opened their eyes to the fact that magic could be wielded by humans.


    Vishirk came a few days ago and performed magic, and also told them stories about how almost everyone in his hometown could use magic. He also briefed them on the possibilities that magic made possible.


    Thus, having a magician—a mage—who was one of their own made them happy and expectant of many miracles in the future.


    Sadly and unfortunately, they weren''t the only ones happy about the sessful awakening of Ri.


    Floating in the air above the vige was the handsome Alister cloaked in his usual dark robe, observing the joy of the vigers with an evil smirk. Xandros wasn''t with him this time.


    "The cult is going to be happy with this information!" he muttered before disappearing.